Discussing Bonderman's struggles this year.
"Al, explain to me, why the sudden drop in velocity?"
Al says the Tigers want Bonderman's pitches to have more movement as a result the velocity will drop off and Kay asks
"Why take away his money pitch?"
Discussing Brandon Inge
"Why is he (Inge) so against catching?"
Pettitte struggling.
"Why is he (Pettitte) missing location-wise? Is it fatigue? Was he set back by missing time in spring training?" Now let's analyze how dumb this series of questions are: How would Leiter even know? He is not inside Pettitte has he asked him. Plus let's face it, he is facing a very good offensive team. Now all of a sudden he's struggling so let's blame missing spring training? How about stop making excuses for Andy, I'm sure he's not making excuses for himself.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
04.29.08...Tigers come into the Bronx
UGH!!!! Al Leiter and Flaherty in the booth! That is a recipe for a ton of questions. Now the Yankees have a new catcher in the lineup so there wil be a ton of questions to make Flaherty feel important because he is such an expert on catching. And I'm sure Hughes will be a major subject for Kay to ask Al Leiter about. This is gonna be annoying!
This is the obvious question that was going to be asked. I could have written it this morning knowing he'd ask.
"How tough is it for Stewart to catch Hughes after never catching him?"
Commenting on Stewart's signals.
"Did you ever put chalk or whiteout on your fingers so the pitcher can see the signals better?"
They are showing Stewart putting whiteout on the back of his fingers.
"How come they are putting the whiteout on the back of his fingers and not the tips?"
On Hughes's struggles.
"Does your mind start to play games with you at this point Al?"
Stewart is having a tough time catching Hughes.
"Do you lose faith in the catcher if something, something, something?" Kay asked some dumb question (Something about crossing up the catcher) that even Al Leiter had no idea what he was asking because Al goes "I'm trying to figure out what you just asked."
Hughes still struggling.
"When do you make the deliniation between growing pains and he just doesn't have it now? How can you tell it's not a physical problem?"
Rogers blows on his hands because it's cold.
"Does blowing on your hands help? Here's my question, if they allow you to blow on your hands on a cold day why can't you do it on a warm day?"
Stewart has a ball fouled off of his mask.
"You can honestly say that doesn't hurt, John?"
This is the obvious question that was going to be asked. I could have written it this morning knowing he'd ask.
"How tough is it for Stewart to catch Hughes after never catching him?"
Commenting on Stewart's signals.
"Did you ever put chalk or whiteout on your fingers so the pitcher can see the signals better?"
They are showing Stewart putting whiteout on the back of his fingers.
"How come they are putting the whiteout on the back of his fingers and not the tips?"
On Hughes's struggles.
"Does your mind start to play games with you at this point Al?"
Stewart is having a tough time catching Hughes.
"Do you lose faith in the catcher if something, something, something?" Kay asked some dumb question (Something about crossing up the catcher) that even Al Leiter had no idea what he was asking because Al goes "I'm trying to figure out what you just asked."
Hughes still struggling.
"When do you make the deliniation between growing pains and he just doesn't have it now? How can you tell it's not a physical problem?"
Rogers blows on his hands because it's cold.
"Does blowing on your hands help? Here's my question, if they allow you to blow on your hands on a cold day why can't you do it on a warm day?"
Stewart has a ball fouled off of his mask.
"You can honestly say that doesn't hurt, John?"
04.28.08
I took advantage of the game not being blacked out on ESPN and watched it on there tonight. The three in the booth for ESPN are faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar better than Kay. Although Steve Phillips & his disdain for the Yankees is slightly annoying, Dan Shulman and Orel Hershiser are very good. BTW Orel, Mussina is not a Hall of Famer.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
04.27.08
The Yankees were on Fox yesterday but they are back on YES today with Kay and Cone in the booth. I have recently been hearing some people call into WFAN 660 (sports talk in NY/NJ area) mentioning Kay's constant questioning and they have noted taht his "style" seems to be rubbing off on the other people in the booth so it apparently is starting to annoy other people too.
A.Cabrera of the Indians appears to be hanging over the plate so Kay asks...
"How would you combat that, bust him inside?"
Discussing Olendorff's reaction after giving up walk-off hit to V.Martinez yesterday.
"What's it like after your first walk-off?"
Kay knows this answer but he can't resist...
"What did you after the perfect game(the next game)?" (he walked the 1st batter, Robbie Alomar)
He already asked O'Neill opening weekend what he did with his Silver Slugger Award so time to find out what Cone did with his Cy Young Award.
"David, you won a CY Young Award, what did you do with the actual award?"
Wang takes a shot back at him.
"Did you ever get hit when you were on the mound?"
Wang pitching well today...
"David, do you think there is anything in Wang's mind about how he got roughed up by the Indians in the Playoffs last year?"...now why would he even be thinking something dumb like that? Wang has yet to give up a run today and is dominating the lineup. Why would he be thinking of last year's playoffs?
About the weather.
"Is this good weather to pitch?"
A.Cabrera of the Indians appears to be hanging over the plate so Kay asks...
"How would you combat that, bust him inside?"
Discussing Olendorff's reaction after giving up walk-off hit to V.Martinez yesterday.
"What's it like after your first walk-off?"
Kay knows this answer but he can't resist...
"What did you after the perfect game(the next game)?" (he walked the 1st batter, Robbie Alomar)
He already asked O'Neill opening weekend what he did with his Silver Slugger Award so time to find out what Cone did with his Cy Young Award.
"David, you won a CY Young Award, what did you do with the actual award?"
Wang takes a shot back at him.
"Did you ever get hit when you were on the mound?"
Wang pitching well today...
"David, do you think there is anything in Wang's mind about how he got roughed up by the Indians in the Playoffs last year?"...now why would he even be thinking something dumb like that? Wang has yet to give up a run today and is dominating the lineup. Why would he be thinking of last year's playoffs?
About the weather.
"Is this good weather to pitch?"
Friday, April 25, 2008
04.25.2008...Kay heads to Cleveland
Kay has only David Cone in the booth tonight. O'Neill probably couldn't take the intense questioning and went home. This is also a My9 game so they could be in trouble.
After Pettitte gives up a single on a good pitch.
"What ticks off a hitter more, giving up a hit on a good pitch or giving up a hit on a bad pitch?"
RE:Pettitte
"Do you think coming up on a team of veterans helped him?" No, it probably hurt him. Duh, great question Michael.
2 pitches, 2 out...
"Now if you're a starter here, do you want Posada to take a pitch here?" Wow, does this guy think we're all idiots watching? No, Posada should run right up to the plate and swing right away so Pettitte has as little rest as possible.
They replay Giambi's HR
"What was Byrd trying to do with that pitch?"
They start discussing how Andy holds his pitches.
"So the fingers for the cutter will be at the 12 o'clock position while the change will be at the 11 o'clock position, right?" I'm sure he didn't know that and was dying to ask.
After Andy gives up back-to-back HR's, Cone is explaining why.
"Why is he slowing his delivery down?"
After an Indian is hit by a pitch...
"When you hit someone did you feel bad?"
Here's a random classic Kay question...
"When you're on the mound can you think of anything but the game or can your mind wander? Can you pitch well if your mind wanders? I've always wondered if you're on the mound and you just had a fight with your girlfriend or wife do you think about that?" ...That right there sums up exactly what this blog is all about.
After Pettitte gives up a single on a good pitch.
"What ticks off a hitter more, giving up a hit on a good pitch or giving up a hit on a bad pitch?"
RE:Pettitte
"Do you think coming up on a team of veterans helped him?" No, it probably hurt him. Duh, great question Michael.
2 pitches, 2 out...
"Now if you're a starter here, do you want Posada to take a pitch here?" Wow, does this guy think we're all idiots watching? No, Posada should run right up to the plate and swing right away so Pettitte has as little rest as possible.
They replay Giambi's HR
"What was Byrd trying to do with that pitch?"
They start discussing how Andy holds his pitches.
"So the fingers for the cutter will be at the 12 o'clock position while the change will be at the 11 o'clock position, right?" I'm sure he didn't know that and was dying to ask.
After Andy gives up back-to-back HR's, Cone is explaining why.
"Why is he slowing his delivery down?"
After an Indian is hit by a pitch...
"When you hit someone did you feel bad?"
Here's a random classic Kay question...
"When you're on the mound can you think of anything but the game or can your mind wander? Can you pitch well if your mind wanders? I've always wondered if you're on the mound and you just had a fight with your girlfriend or wife do you think about that?" ...That right there sums up exactly what this blog is all about.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
04.24.08
It's raining in Chicago so more time for Kay to prepare some excellent questions! I picked up the game in the 3rd inning tonight.
The grounds crew is out fixing the mound. That spawns this.
"Let me ask you this David, Floyd came out to pitch but Hughes didn't. Is it because of the 50 minute delay or because there is more rain in the forecast?"...BTW, what a dumb question that is! Why would Cone actually know that? Maybe the Yankees want to be extra cautious with Hughes and the White Sox have a different philosophy? It could be many reasons!!!
Commenting on the many warmup pitches Floyd is getting.
"Didn't Floyd get his warmups when the Yankees were in the field?"
On Hawkins' pitching motion.
"David, what does taking the ball early out of the glove do for Hawkins?"
On Joe Crede's success vs. right-handers.
"What makes him a better hitter against righties, Paul?"
The grounds crew is out fixing the mound. That spawns this.
"Let me ask you this David, Floyd came out to pitch but Hughes didn't. Is it because of the 50 minute delay or because there is more rain in the forecast?"...BTW, what a dumb question that is! Why would Cone actually know that? Maybe the Yankees want to be extra cautious with Hughes and the White Sox have a different philosophy? It could be many reasons!!!
Commenting on the many warmup pitches Floyd is getting.
"Didn't Floyd get his warmups when the Yankees were in the field?"
On Hawkins' pitching motion.
"David, what does taking the ball early out of the glove do for Hawkins?"
On Joe Crede's success vs. right-handers.
"What makes him a better hitter against righties, Paul?"
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
04.23.08
Cone and O'Neill again handling the questions.
On the '98 team.
"Is that the best team you ever saw?"
After Mussina doesn't get a close call.
"Do you think an umpire pays attention to how you're doing, if you're having a poor season or struggling?
Haha!!!!! He asks it AGAIN next inning!!!
"I want to revisit what I asked you last inning, when you were less dominate did you not get the calls off the plate?"
Camera shows Moose blowing on his hands so I'm sure he's always been wondering...
"In weather like this when they allow you to blow on your hands can't you spit in your hands?"
Questioning Cone now...
"Did you ever try and doctor a pitch?"
"Now explain, if the scuff is on a certain side the ball will rise?"
"So you place the scuff the end of the ball you want it to go?"
Hawkins comes in and guess what, they start talking about him wearing 22 now. That brought out this beauty...
"Both of you, I've always wondered, did it weird you out when you saw people wearing jersey's and T-shirts with your name and number on it?"
On the '98 team.
"Is that the best team you ever saw?"
After Mussina doesn't get a close call.
"Do you think an umpire pays attention to how you're doing, if you're having a poor season or struggling?
Haha!!!!! He asks it AGAIN next inning!!!
"I want to revisit what I asked you last inning, when you were less dominate did you not get the calls off the plate?"
Camera shows Moose blowing on his hands so I'm sure he's always been wondering...
"In weather like this when they allow you to blow on your hands can't you spit in your hands?"
Questioning Cone now...
"Did you ever try and doctor a pitch?"
"Now explain, if the scuff is on a certain side the ball will rise?"
"So you place the scuff the end of the ball you want it to go?"
Hawkins comes in and guess what, they start talking about him wearing 22 now. That brought out this beauty...
"Both of you, I've always wondered, did it weird you out when you saw people wearing jersey's and T-shirts with your name and number on it?"
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
04.22.08...Kay goes to Chi-town
Yankees open a three game series in Chicago vs the White Sox. Kay has David Cone and Paul O'Neill in the booth. Call me crazy but that sounds like a recipe for plenty of questions!
After Melky throws to 3rd instead of 2nd
"If you're pitching there David, would you rather the throw go to second instead of 3rd to kepp the double play in order?"
On Giambi's struggles.
"When does he just start trying to hit the ball to the left side for the easy single?"
On trying to pull everything.
"Did that ever happen to you Paul?"
Again Kay starts asking O'Neill about Hawkins wearing Paul's number. Just check back when O'Neill was in the booth last and you'll see the same exact questions.
A bat breaks as Swisher was swinging.
"Paul, there is no way that bat just broke because of his swing and not a foul ball?"
On Jim Thome.
"Does he have the type of swing that age will affect it?"
Cone explains Wang holding runners on prompts Kay to ask...
"When you say 'look at 3rd' you mean peripherally?"
And then this dandy...
"This might sound strange but how much do you really have to look at the target? I mean you already know the strike zone."
C'mon Kay! Again, you just love to hear yourself talk! That's something you really didn't know and had to ask?
On Bruney's command.
"I've always heard the catcher will call the breaking ball when you are struggling with your command?"
Of course Kay now asks Cone and O'Neill about 'the Joba debate', is he more valuable as a starter or 8th inning guy?
Ugh...here we go. The Yankees have a pretty decent lead late in the game so here goes the questions. He cannot stop talking!!!!
On the Yankees poor start with the bats.
"Let me ask you Paul, does it affect the bats when you're playing in the warm weather in spring training and then go North and play in the cold?"
On facing MacDougal
"Is it a little uneasy being up there when he doesn't know where it's going?" I wonder if it's tougher to hit a guy like that?"
They are discussing Farnsworth throwing at Manny AGAIN! Everytime Farnsworth comes in is Kay going to bring that up? Probably.
"Does it matter how you got hit or that got hit?"...Huh?
After Farnsworth gives up a homer.
"Now Paul, how do you explain it? A guy with his stuff gets hit that hard."
After Melky throws to 3rd instead of 2nd
"If you're pitching there David, would you rather the throw go to second instead of 3rd to kepp the double play in order?"
On Giambi's struggles.
"When does he just start trying to hit the ball to the left side for the easy single?"
On trying to pull everything.
"Did that ever happen to you Paul?"
Again Kay starts asking O'Neill about Hawkins wearing Paul's number. Just check back when O'Neill was in the booth last and you'll see the same exact questions.
A bat breaks as Swisher was swinging.
"Paul, there is no way that bat just broke because of his swing and not a foul ball?"
On Jim Thome.
"Does he have the type of swing that age will affect it?"
Cone explains Wang holding runners on prompts Kay to ask...
"When you say 'look at 3rd' you mean peripherally?"
And then this dandy...
"This might sound strange but how much do you really have to look at the target? I mean you already know the strike zone."
C'mon Kay! Again, you just love to hear yourself talk! That's something you really didn't know and had to ask?
On Bruney's command.
"I've always heard the catcher will call the breaking ball when you are struggling with your command?"
Of course Kay now asks Cone and O'Neill about 'the Joba debate', is he more valuable as a starter or 8th inning guy?
Ugh...here we go. The Yankees have a pretty decent lead late in the game so here goes the questions. He cannot stop talking!!!!
On the Yankees poor start with the bats.
"Let me ask you Paul, does it affect the bats when you're playing in the warm weather in spring training and then go North and play in the cold?"
On facing MacDougal
"Is it a little uneasy being up there when he doesn't know where it's going?" I wonder if it's tougher to hit a guy like that?"
They are discussing Farnsworth throwing at Manny AGAIN! Everytime Farnsworth comes in is Kay going to bring that up? Probably.
"Does it matter how you got hit or that got hit?"...Huh?
After Farnsworth gives up a homer.
"Now Paul, how do you explain it? A guy with his stuff gets hit that hard."
04.20.08
I was in and out of the game on Sunday and didn't really notice any questions. Thanks Michael!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
04.19.08
Let's see if we can have another light night of questioning from Kay.
On Cal Ripken
"Kenny you were there when he came up, did you think 'good player' or 'Hall of Famer'?"
Not much more after that. Wow!
On Cal Ripken
"Kenny you were there when he came up, did you think 'good player' or 'Hall of Famer'?"
Not much more after that. Wow!
Friday, April 18, 2008
04.18.08...Back on the road in Baltimore
First off I'd like to comment on the Farnsworth pitch to Manny last night and the insane amount of talk it got and will probably still get.
The trio in the booth for the Yankees talked about it for two straight innings with Kay of course leading the charge. He asked the same thing he asks every single time a batter is hit in any game, whether it was the Red Sox or KC or TB. "Was that on purpose?" "Will they hit the Yankee leftfielder because Manny plays left?" "Will they retaliate?" "When?" "Next series?" "Do players remember?" "Will they go after ARod?" ENOUGH! Manny, the one who was 'thrown at' said it himself "We hit one of their best players last night, I guess they wanted to send a message." EXACTLY! NOW they are even. You guys just want to drone on and make it a big story so especially Kay can keep talking. And I didn't hear him but people told me Gammons went crazy on ESPN about Farnsworth...Peter, did you go crazy about Pedro when he sent Jeter & Soriano to the hospital in the same game a few years ago? Did you go crazy when Dice K hit ARod about 3 times last year? Did you go crazy when Aardsma hit ARod the night before? The Red Sox pitchers hit Yankee hitters constantly, enough is enough. Manny wasn't hit so he obviously wasn't hurt and maybe Farnsworth threw at him but maybe his intention was not to hit him like the Red Sox pitchers do.
On to the game. Hopefully (I doubt it) Kay used up all his questions the past two nights. We'll see.
Singleton in the booth tonight with Kay.
On John Shelby's nickname
"Was there a reason behind 'T-Bone'?"
Wow! That's it? 1 question? Not bad.
I'm going to start tracking the Yankees record when they play on Channel 9 (I refuse to call it by it's horrible name My9). I bet for some reason they lose more than they win when the games are on "free TV". So far 0-1, losing 8-2 tonight to Baltimore.
The trio in the booth for the Yankees talked about it for two straight innings with Kay of course leading the charge. He asked the same thing he asks every single time a batter is hit in any game, whether it was the Red Sox or KC or TB. "Was that on purpose?" "Will they hit the Yankee leftfielder because Manny plays left?" "Will they retaliate?" "When?" "Next series?" "Do players remember?" "Will they go after ARod?" ENOUGH! Manny, the one who was 'thrown at' said it himself "We hit one of their best players last night, I guess they wanted to send a message." EXACTLY! NOW they are even. You guys just want to drone on and make it a big story so especially Kay can keep talking. And I didn't hear him but people told me Gammons went crazy on ESPN about Farnsworth...Peter, did you go crazy about Pedro when he sent Jeter & Soriano to the hospital in the same game a few years ago? Did you go crazy when Dice K hit ARod about 3 times last year? Did you go crazy when Aardsma hit ARod the night before? The Red Sox pitchers hit Yankee hitters constantly, enough is enough. Manny wasn't hit so he obviously wasn't hurt and maybe Farnsworth threw at him but maybe his intention was not to hit him like the Red Sox pitchers do.
On to the game. Hopefully (I doubt it) Kay used up all his questions the past two nights. We'll see.
Singleton in the booth tonight with Kay.
On John Shelby's nickname
"Was there a reason behind 'T-Bone'?"
Wow! That's it? 1 question? Not bad.
I'm going to start tracking the Yankees record when they play on Channel 9 (I refuse to call it by it's horrible name My9). I bet for some reason they lose more than they win when the games are on "free TV". So far 0-1, losing 8-2 tonight to Baltimore.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
04.17.08
Leiter and Flaherty both in the booth as Kay attempts to follow up his record breaking question night with another night of annoyance and interviewing.
On Josh Beckett.
"Al, you spent time with him in the Florida organization, how was he as a teammate?"
Kay throws out some useless stat about Mussina vs lefties and the of course asks...
"Why?"
This spurs Leiter and Flaherty to drone on and on and Kay follows with...
"Is it an inability or reluctance to throw inside?"
On pitching to Manny
"So John, you've caught the guy, what pitch is he looking for to get out Manny?"
I was in & out of the game from 8 - 9:30 but I did hear a couple more questions by Kay during that time.
On Mussina still...
"Will he finally pitch inside now?"
On Farnsworth pitching inside to Manny.
"Will Farnsworth pitch him inside?"
Then he proceeds to throw a picth behind Manny and predictably, say it together now...
"Was that on purpose?"
On the Yankees swung early in the count.
"You have to wonder if it's in the back of their minds that they're going to get one up and in?"
Camera pans to Wang and Hughes on the bench.
"When pitchers make that motion, is that a 2-seamer?"
How about this one? Can you just please let us watch the game Kay!?!?
"Al, do they tinker with your stuff more when you're in the dugout or in the pen?"
That was a grand total of at least 28 questions in the 2 games vs Boston!
On Josh Beckett.
"Al, you spent time with him in the Florida organization, how was he as a teammate?"
Kay throws out some useless stat about Mussina vs lefties and the of course asks...
"Why?"
This spurs Leiter and Flaherty to drone on and on and Kay follows with...
"Is it an inability or reluctance to throw inside?"
On pitching to Manny
"So John, you've caught the guy, what pitch is he looking for to get out Manny?"
I was in & out of the game from 8 - 9:30 but I did hear a couple more questions by Kay during that time.
On Mussina still...
"Will he finally pitch inside now?"
On Farnsworth pitching inside to Manny.
"Will Farnsworth pitch him inside?"
Then he proceeds to throw a picth behind Manny and predictably, say it together now...
"Was that on purpose?"
On the Yankees swung early in the count.
"You have to wonder if it's in the back of their minds that they're going to get one up and in?"
Camera pans to Wang and Hughes on the bench.
"When pitchers make that motion, is that a 2-seamer?"
How about this one? Can you just please let us watch the game Kay!?!?
"Al, do they tinker with your stuff more when you're in the dugout or in the pen?"
That was a grand total of at least 28 questions in the 2 games vs Boston!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
04.16.08...Kay and the Yankees back in the Bronx!
Michael Kay is back from his brief four day hiatus just in time to call the Yankee/Red Sox games. John Flaherty and for the first time this season, Al Leiter are in the booth with Kay. Call me crazy but I have a feeling the questions will be flying tonight!
Here we go!
Kay throws out some useless stat about BA vs Bucholtz when a batter has 2 strikes.
"Is that because of his great curveball?"
On Varitek's struggle's with Wang
"When a batter is 0 for 18 against you, are you worried about the 'due theory'?"
On Wang facing the Red Sox in back-to-back starts.
"Al when you pitched well against a team and then faced them the next week did you change the way you attacked them?"
"John, how about you, did you have a different gameplan?"
After Wang is visited on the mound by the pitching coach.
"Let me ask you this Al, when a pitching coach comes out to the mound and tells you what you're doing wrong, how difficult is it to fix it?"
On Randy Johnson
"Was he ornery to catch?"
On pitching to Manny.
"Al what would be your perfect pitch to him?"
"John, what about you?"
*Note: Kay is super-annoying and on record pace tonight, firing off 8 questions so far in just 2 1/2 innings!
On Yankee/Red Sox games
"John, what was Yankee/Red Sox like for you?"
"Al, you opened your career with the Yankees then later came back and beat them later in your career, what did those matchups mean to you?"
After Moeller broke his bat singling in a run.
"How tough is it for a pitcher to collect himself after a battle like that and to lose it on a broken bat blooper?"
On Wang having different results vs Boston this outing as opposed to last week.
"When Wang dominated the Red Sox last week he threw a bunch of 4-seam fastballs. This time, is it because he has a different catcher or did he just change hi plan of attack?"
"You also have to wonder, was he comfortable with Moehller?"
Another random useless question.
"When Wang came back in the dugout Mussina came over and spoke to him, does a pitcher want to talk to anyone after an outing like this?"
Yet another completely random question
"Al when you first came up, was the next pitch for you with a 2-0 count always a fastball?"
Side rant: Can we stop talking about the Yankees brutal schedule and the times they are getting into cities? It isn't like it's 1920 where the players are taking trains and buses to games. They have the best airplane money can buy, I'm sure it's more comfortable than any plane I'd ever travel in. They can recline and sleep and relax. Life as a basball player in 2008 must be sooooo rough.
And another thing...enough with the camera shot like I'm sitting right behind the umpire!!! I want to see the game from centerfield like I have for the last 30 plus year!
On the Yankees getting in late before games.
"John, how dabilitating is it, getting in at 4:00AM before games?"
A Kay random theory that turned into a question.
"When the offense scores so much in the early innings are they worn out or are the pitchers just better as they get into later innings?"
Wow! 17 questions by Kay tonight asked to Flaherty & Leiter. Was I watching "Centerstage" tonight or a baseball game?
Here we go!
Kay throws out some useless stat about BA vs Bucholtz when a batter has 2 strikes.
"Is that because of his great curveball?"
On Varitek's struggle's with Wang
"When a batter is 0 for 18 against you, are you worried about the 'due theory'?"
On Wang facing the Red Sox in back-to-back starts.
"Al when you pitched well against a team and then faced them the next week did you change the way you attacked them?"
"John, how about you, did you have a different gameplan?"
After Wang is visited on the mound by the pitching coach.
"Let me ask you this Al, when a pitching coach comes out to the mound and tells you what you're doing wrong, how difficult is it to fix it?"
On Randy Johnson
"Was he ornery to catch?"
On pitching to Manny.
"Al what would be your perfect pitch to him?"
"John, what about you?"
*Note: Kay is super-annoying and on record pace tonight, firing off 8 questions so far in just 2 1/2 innings!
On Yankee/Red Sox games
"John, what was Yankee/Red Sox like for you?"
"Al, you opened your career with the Yankees then later came back and beat them later in your career, what did those matchups mean to you?"
After Moeller broke his bat singling in a run.
"How tough is it for a pitcher to collect himself after a battle like that and to lose it on a broken bat blooper?"
On Wang having different results vs Boston this outing as opposed to last week.
"When Wang dominated the Red Sox last week he threw a bunch of 4-seam fastballs. This time, is it because he has a different catcher or did he just change hi plan of attack?"
"You also have to wonder, was he comfortable with Moehller?"
Another random useless question.
"When Wang came back in the dugout Mussina came over and spoke to him, does a pitcher want to talk to anyone after an outing like this?"
Yet another completely random question
"Al when you first came up, was the next pitch for you with a 2-0 count always a fastball?"
Side rant: Can we stop talking about the Yankees brutal schedule and the times they are getting into cities? It isn't like it's 1920 where the players are taking trains and buses to games. They have the best airplane money can buy, I'm sure it's more comfortable than any plane I'd ever travel in. They can recline and sleep and relax. Life as a basball player in 2008 must be sooooo rough.
And another thing...enough with the camera shot like I'm sitting right behind the umpire!!! I want to see the game from centerfield like I have for the last 30 plus year!
On the Yankees getting in late before games.
"John, how dabilitating is it, getting in at 4:00AM before games?"
A Kay random theory that turned into a question.
"When the offense scores so much in the early innings are they worn out or are the pitchers just better as they get into later innings?"
Wow! 17 questions by Kay tonight asked to Flaherty & Leiter. Was I watching "Centerstage" tonight or a baseball game?
Monday, April 14, 2008
04.14.08...Two in TB, Kay off again!
No Michael Kay again!!! But who's complaining? John Flaherty is doing the play-by-play (not very well) but the good thing is, he obviously didn't go to the Michal Kay School of Broadcasting because the questions are almost non-existent. We all know Kay will not miss the upcoming 2 game series with Boston on Tuesday and Wednesday so my excitement will be short-lived.
*Note to Eric Wedge...Joe Borowski is awful! I don't even think I'd trade Farnsworth or Hawkins for him. I'd consider it though. ;)
*Note to Eric Wedge...Joe Borowski is awful! I don't even think I'd trade Farnsworth or Hawkins for him. I'd consider it though. ;)
04.12/13.08
The game is being televised on Fox on Saturday so my ears will bloodied by maybe the worst baseball team of Joe Buck and Timmy "Perhaps" McCarver. I cannot take these two. Buck tries to be witty and funny; he is not, and my blog is not long enough to document all the things I cannot stand about McCarver, the main thing being the amount of times he says "perhaps" in a telecast. Take note. He says it plenty of times.
Sunday's game is on ESPN and a note to Mark Grace, the "world does not stop on it's axis to watch the Yankees and Red Sox on ESPN" whenever they play as you stated during your game on Sunday. But the fact is is that ESPN is in the business to make money and more people tune-in to see the best rivalry in baseball than any other two teams when they play. I'm sure everyone wasn't going to rush home from their Sunday dinners to watch D'backs/Rockies if they were the Main Event. Nobody even cares about your team out West, not even your own fans who showed up 31,000 "strong" on Sunday (out of a 49,00 seat stadium) to see one of the best, most exiting teams in baseball. Idiot.
Sunday's game is on ESPN and a note to Mark Grace, the "world does not stop on it's axis to watch the Yankees and Red Sox on ESPN" whenever they play as you stated during your game on Sunday. But the fact is is that ESPN is in the business to make money and more people tune-in to see the best rivalry in baseball than any other two teams when they play. I'm sure everyone wasn't going to rush home from their Sunday dinners to watch D'backs/Rockies if they were the Main Event. Nobody even cares about your team out West, not even your own fans who showed up 31,000 "strong" on Sunday (out of a 49,00 seat stadium) to see one of the best, most exiting teams in baseball. Idiot.
Friday, April 11, 2008
04.11.08...Kay Returns in Beantown
Kay is back with David Cone and Kenny Singleton in the booth.
On Cone's cab ride to Fenway.
"Here's the key question, who paid for the cab ride?"
On aluminum bats changing the game.
"You said things are different now because of aluminum bats, tell me why?"
On pitching in the rain.
"Is there a pitch that is more difficult to pitch in the rain?"
And of course...
On hitting in the rain.
"On the hitters side, Kenny, is it difficult to hit in the rain?"
There was a couple other questions he asked later on that I meant to take note of but I forgot what they were. I'm pretty confident they'll be asked again sometime during the season.
On Cone's cab ride to Fenway.
"Here's the key question, who paid for the cab ride?"
On aluminum bats changing the game.
"You said things are different now because of aluminum bats, tell me why?"
On pitching in the rain.
"Is there a pitch that is more difficult to pitch in the rain?"
And of course...
On hitting in the rain.
"On the hitters side, Kenny, is it difficult to hit in the rain?"
There was a couple other questions he asked later on that I meant to take note of but I forgot what they were. I'm pretty confident they'll be asked again sometime during the season.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
04.08 - 04.10 KC is Kay-less
Quizmaster Kay has thankfully not made the trip to KC so we're question-free for at least 3 days.
Monday, April 7, 2008
04.07.08...Let's Go Memphis!
Same 2 in the booth with the "Quizmaster". I'll be out of the game around 9:15 to watch Memphis take on Kansas.
On Mussina's pitching style
"Why doesn't he like pitching inside?"
"If he lived inside more would he be able to get away with outside pitches?"
On Melky's ritual of tapping the catchers shin guards
"John did that annoy you?"
On Molina's 'hot' throwing
"Do you think that you can get on a hot throwing streak like a hot hitting streak?"
On Damon bunting
"Wouldn't you want Damon swinging here?"
On Mussina's pitching style
"Why doesn't he like pitching inside?"
"If he lived inside more would he be able to get away with outside pitches?"
On Melky's ritual of tapping the catchers shin guards
"John did that annoy you?"
On Molina's 'hot' throwing
"Do you think that you can get on a hot throwing streak like a hot hitting streak?"
On Damon bunting
"Wouldn't you want Damon swinging here?"
Sunday, April 6, 2008
04.06.08
Same duo being quizzed by Kay today. Kay starting out early with the questions! 2 and a half innings in the books and Kay is going crazy with the questions!!!
On Wang's higher ERA at the Stadium
"John is there a legitimate reason why Wang would have over a 2 run more ERA at home?"
On Wang having trouble vs Eric Hinski
"Should a pitcher go away from his strength just because a batter has success against him?"
On Cano's struggles
"Kenny, after how many at bats did you start getting nervous about your average?"...Singleton answered..."John, how about you?"
BTW Kay, Mussina didn't pitch well in his 1st start as you just said. 5 2/3, 4 runs, 3 ER & 2 K's is not well. It's OK.
On fielding foul balls by a catcher...
"Did you ever hit anyone or throw your mask at a batter when you were going back for a foul ball?"
"Here's another question, how did you learn to go back on foul balls in Little League?"
After Betemit's poor baserunning
"How long after you get back in the dugout does someone come up to you and talk to you about your mistake or do they just let you be?"
On the 'Rays'
"How many times per year will people still call them Devil Rays?"
On Wang's higher ERA at the Stadium
"John is there a legitimate reason why Wang would have over a 2 run more ERA at home?"
On Wang having trouble vs Eric Hinski
"Should a pitcher go away from his strength just because a batter has success against him?"
On Cano's struggles
"Kenny, after how many at bats did you start getting nervous about your average?"...Singleton answered..."John, how about you?"
BTW Kay, Mussina didn't pitch well in his 1st start as you just said. 5 2/3, 4 runs, 3 ER & 2 K's is not well. It's OK.
On fielding foul balls by a catcher...
"Did you ever hit anyone or throw your mask at a batter when you were going back for a foul ball?"
"Here's another question, how did you learn to go back on foul balls in Little League?"
After Betemit's poor baserunning
"How long after you get back in the dugout does someone come up to you and talk to you about your mistake or do they just let you be?"
On the 'Rays'
"How many times per year will people still call them Devil Rays?"
04.05.08
I missed the majority of today's game on TV. Instead I had the 'pleasure' of listening to Suzyn Waldman on the radio.
Friday, April 4, 2008
04.04.08...Tampa Bay is in the Bronx
Two new faces in the booth for Kay to quiz. John Flaherty and Ken Singleton.
On umpires...
"Is there an umpire you remember that used to admit he got a call wrong?"
On uniform numbers...
"What number did you wear the most Flash (Flaherty)?"
On umpires...
"Is there an umpire you remember that used to admit he got a call wrong?"
On uniform numbers...
"What number did you wear the most Flash (Flaherty)?"
04.03.08
Paul O'Neill is receiving the questions again tonight.
(I was in and out of the game for the 8 to 9 hour so I might have missed some important questions)
On scouting reports of the pitcher...
"How much information do you process that you get from the pregame meetings?"
On sacrifice bunting...
"Paul, how many times did you sacrifice bunt?"
On another bunt situation...
"Paul, here's (ANOTHER!) question, do you bunt here with Jeter?"
(I was in and out of the game for the 8 to 9 hour so I might have missed some important questions)
On scouting reports of the pitcher...
"How much information do you process that you get from the pregame meetings?"
On sacrifice bunting...
"Paul, how many times did you sacrifice bunt?"
On another bunt situation...
"Paul, here's (ANOTHER!) question, do you bunt here with Jeter?"
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
04.02.08
The interviewee again is Paul O'Neill.
On Derek Jeter's hitting...
"Why does Jeter have that natural ability to hit the ball to right field?"
On O'Neill's batting award...
"Where is the silver bat (you won) for winning the batting title? Above the fireplace, on the mantle?"
On the infield shift facing Jason Giambi...
"I think I've asked you this before, (*Many times I'm sure!) when they are playing the shift like that on you isn't it easy to just hit the ball against the shift?"
On the Yankees having no off days for almost 3 weeks...
"Is it tough playing 20 straight days in a row?"
On LaTroy Hawkins wearing #21...
"I should ask you, (*Of course, and I bet for not the last time!) do you mind that someone else is wearing it?"
On Derek Jeter's hitting...
"Why does Jeter have that natural ability to hit the ball to right field?"
On O'Neill's batting award...
"Where is the silver bat (you won) for winning the batting title? Above the fireplace, on the mantle?"
On the infield shift facing Jason Giambi...
"I think I've asked you this before, (*Many times I'm sure!) when they are playing the shift like that on you isn't it easy to just hit the ball against the shift?"
On the Yankees having no off days for almost 3 weeks...
"Is it tough playing 20 straight days in a row?"
On LaTroy Hawkins wearing #21...
"I should ask you, (*Of course, and I bet for not the last time!) do you mind that someone else is wearing it?"
04.01.08...Opening Day!
Let the questioning begin! Tonight the interviewee in the booth with Kay is Paul O'Neill
On Halladay's pitches...
"Is there a spin on the ball that you look for?"
The YES camera pans the train outside Yankee Stadium which raises this important question...
"Paul have you ever taken the train to Yankee Stadium?"
On pitching to ARod...
"Paul, how would you pitch to ARod?"
On new Yankee manager Joe Girardi...
"Is it odd seeing your buddy there in the dugout and not Joe Torre?"
After Armando Rios misses a hanging curveball...
"Does it get in your head as a hitter after you've missed an obvious mistake by the pitcher?"
After Vernon Wells dove for a ball and missed...
"Was there any other way for Wells to approach that ball instead of diving?"
"Is there a spin on the ball that you look for?"
The YES camera pans the train outside Yankee Stadium which raises this important question...
"Paul have you ever taken the train to Yankee Stadium?"
On pitching to ARod...
"Paul, how would you pitch to ARod?"
On new Yankee manager Joe Girardi...
"Is it odd seeing your buddy there in the dugout and not Joe Torre?"
After Armando Rios misses a hanging curveball...
"Does it get in your head as a hitter after you've missed an obvious mistake by the pitcher?"
After Vernon Wells dove for a ball and missed...
"Was there any other way for Wells to approach that ball instead of diving?"
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