Good stuff from YES Network’s Jack Curry on Phil Hughes, who pitches tonight for the Yankees against the Red Sox, reminding me of my “attack, attack, attack” characterization: Phil Hughes looks different on the mound this season, different in a positive way. He acts more assertive and more fearless. He has the demeanor of a …
This week’s National and American League Hit Lists are up, as is the combined ranking with the all-important league adjustment (-21 points for NL, +24 for AL to balance out the asymmtrical number of teams). Here’s a royal sampler: [#2 AL Yankees] Tex Time: While helping to secure a series win, Mark Teixeira scores a …
Continue reading ‘Friday’s Child: the Royal Sampler Edition’ »
With Javier Vazquez set to start tonight for the Yankees after his turn was skipped over the weekend, last week’s “Hit and Run” column has received a big-screen adaptation over at ESPN Insider’s TMI blog. Beyond his historical problems while pitching in the American League, here’s something to chew on regarding his performance this year: …
Back after a few days on the disabled list for… well, you don’t want to know, trust me. Missed the chance to post links to last week’s Hit Lists, so here they are, the National and American League editions. It’s a few days old, but here’s what I had to say about the AL East’s …
In today’s Prospectus Hit and Run, I tackle the disappointing performance of the ever-enigmatic Javier Vazquez, who was once again pounded on Saturday. He’s carrying a 9.78 ERA and has allowed eight homers in his 23 innings. What’s more, he hasn’t gotten past four innings in either of his past two starts. The boos are …
So this past Sunday I got up to Yankee Stadium for my first game of the season, where my friend Julie and I watched Dandy Andy Pettitte and the Yankees subdue the Rangers, 5-2. Given last year’s ugly ticket drama, I’m pleased to report that we’ve moved up in the world. Last year, we were …
What happens when a baseball outsider lands what seemed to be the job of her (yes, her) dreams, covering the two New York baseball teams as a beat reporter? What happens when that job is just as suddenly yanked away when her publisher goes through yet another regime change? Having crossed the line into professionalism, …
Continue reading ‘Ballgame Barbie She Ain’t: Emma Span’s 90% of the Game is Half Mental’ »
A bit groggy here after a long week which began with a fun ballpark trip to a Baseball Prospectus event in Baltimore — one which included Orioles president Andy MacPhail, six BP authors, and XM Radio hosts Mike Ferrin and Grant Paulsen — and was capped by having stayed up past 2:00 AM on each of the …
Continue reading ‘From the Streets of Baltimore to the Sofas of Brooklyn’ »
Keyed by Tim Kurkjian’s observation that there are no currently active starting pitchers who are locks for Cooperstown, today’s Prospectus Hit and Run is devoted to examining which active pitchers have the best shot, using both JAWS and more traditional credentials. Before digging into the names, consider the following: The Baseball Writers Association of America …
In honor of Pat Venditte’s spring fling with the Yankees, I’ve got a One-Hopper at Baseball Prospectus, covering not only his appearance but also a history of switch-pitching: It was only one inning and change in an exhibition game, but on Tuesday the Yankees finally got a good look at Pat Venditte, the ambidextrous reliever …