Moose Throws Old Time Gem

Mike Mussina may be considered an old-timer by baseball standards, but yesterday he pitched a youthful masterpiece as the Yankees snapped their two game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Mussina retired the last 17 men he faced, to earn his 14th win of the season, before a packed Yankee Stadium crowd, there to watch not only the game, but also the final Old-Timer's day festivities in the grand old park.

After a magnificent two hour show, featuring Hall of Fame members, Stadium favorites, surprises (Willie Randolph), and 72 old-timers in all, the Yankees sent the crowd home even happier after winning for just the second time in seven games.

On the 29th anniversary of the passing of Thurman Munson, it was appropriate that the Yankees catcher had a big day at the plate, and no- it was not Ivan Rodriguez. Jose Molina went 3-3 and hit his first home run of the season. He also scored three times and was in perfect sync all day with Mussina.

The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second inning when the Yankees failed to turn an inning-ending double play. With the bases loaded and one out, catcher Jeff Mathis bounced to Alex Rodriguez, who fired to second base to start a potential double play. But with Robinson Cano sitting out with a sore hand, Wilson Betemit, a stranger to the position, made a weak throw as Gary Matthews Jr. bore down on him. Jason Giambi not only couldn't scoop the one-hopper, but he batted it far enough away to allow a second run to cross home plate.

Betemit, who has been criticized right here often, quickly made up for his defensive lapse in the bottom of the second, hitting a 2-run home run off Jered Weaver to tie the game. The Yankees went ahead for good an inning later when Molina and Johnny Damon laced back to back singles. The Angels played back for the double play and that's exactly what they got when Jeter bounced into (yet another) twin-killing, with Molina scoring on the play. The red-hot Bobby Abreu then crushed his 15th home run of the season and his fourth in the last four games.

The story in this game, though, was Mussina. The 39-year-old baffled the Angels' hitters with his mix of speed and guile. He retired the side in order from the third through the seventh innings to earn his 264th career win. He now stands tied with Gus Weyhing for 38th on the all-time wins list. He needs two more wins to tie Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, two Hall of Fame members.

The Yankees offense, so desperate for a run the night before, tacked on insurance runs in the fifth through seventh innings. In addition to Molina, Alex Rodriguez also went deep for the 24th time this season. Home run number 542 puts him six behind Mike Schmidt for 12th place on the career home run list.


News and Notes

It looked like it might be a long day for Mussina when home plate ump Joe West appeared to be squeezing him on tight pitches early in the game. We still wonder how West ever got re-hired after the umpire's strike. He's one of the worst in the game and is disliked by the players.

Molina has caught 21 of Mussina's 23 starts and there's no reason to think that Joe Girardi will change that combination.

Torii Hunter was placed on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother and will miss today's game as well.

Brian Bruney pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since April 22.

August 2, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
LA Angels	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	3	0
NY Yankees	0	2	2	0	1	1	2	0	X		8	11	1

LA Angels	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Figgins, 3B	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	.278
Aybar, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.280
Teixeira, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.282
Guerrero, DH	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.282
Anderson, LF	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.284
Kendrick, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	.333
Rivera, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.233
Matthews, CF	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	.228
Mathis, C	3	0	0	1	0	2	1	.218
Totals	30	2	3	1	4	8	9
BATTING 2B: Kendrick (24, Mussina). TB: Anderson; Kendrick 3. RBI: Mathis (37). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rivera. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING DP: 2 (Aybar-Kendrick-Teixeira 2).

LA Angels	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Weaver (L, 9-9)	5.0	8	6	6	1	5	4	4.37
Speier	1.1	3	2	2	1	1	0	4.89
O'Day	1.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.34

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.316
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.282
Abreu, RF	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.286
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	2	1	.325
Giambi, 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.252
1-Sexson, PR-1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.224
Nady, LF	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.328
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.269
Betemit, 2B	4	1	2	2	0	2	0	.258
Cabrera, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.246
Molina, C	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	.237
Totals	33	8	11	7	2	8	7
a-Popped out for Nady in the 8th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 6th.
BATTING HR: Betemit (5, 2nd inning off Weaver, 1 on, 2 out), Abreu (15, 3rd inning off Weaver, 0 on, 2 out), Molina (1, 5th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (24, 6th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 5; Nady; Betemit 5; Molina 6. RBI: Betemit 2 (17), Abreu 2 (75), Molina (12), Rodriguez, A (66), Jeter (50). 2-out RBI: Betemit 2; Abreu. GIDP: Jeter; Nady. Team LOB: 3. FIELDING E: Betemit (3, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 14-7)	7.0	2	2	1	2	5	0	3.44
Veras	1.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2.70
Bruney	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.46

Weaver pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: Weaver 99-70, Speier 28-18, O'Day 19-15,
Mussina 89-58, Veras 17-11, Bruney 20-11.
Ground outs-fly outs: Weaver 5-5, Speier 3-0, O'Day 1-2,
Mussina 11-5, Veras 0-0, Bruney 0-3.
Batters faced: Weaver 23, Speier 7, O'Day 5,
Mussina 25, Veras 4, Bruney 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Speier 1-0, O'Day 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Joe West. 1B: Ed Rapuano.
2B: Scott Barry. 3B: CB Bucknor.
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, R to L.
T: 2:42.
Att: 54,170.

Moose Throws Old Time Gem

Mike Mussina may be considered an old-timer by baseball standards, but yesterday he pitched a youthful masterpiece as the Yankees snapped their two game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Mussina retired the last 17 men he faced, to earn his 14th win of the season, before a packed Yankee Stadium crowd, there to watch not only the game, but also the final Old-Timer's day festivities in the grand old park.

After a magnificent two hour show, featuring Hall of Fame members, Stadium favorites, surprises (Willie Randolph), and 72 old-timers in all, the Yankees sent the crowd home even happier after winning for just the second time in seven games.

On the 29th anniversary of the passing of Thurman Munson, it was appropriate that the Yankees catcher had a big day at the plate, and no- it was not Ivan Rodriguez. Jose Molina went 3-3 and hit his first home run of the season. He also scored three times and was in perfect sync all day with Mussina.

The Angels scored a pair of runs in the second inning when the Yankees failed to turn an inning-ending double play. With the bases loaded and one out, catcher Jeff Mathis bounced to Alex Rodriguez, who fired to second base to start a potential double play. But with Robinson Cano sitting out with a sore hand, Wilson Betemit, a stranger to the position, made a weak throw as Gary Matthews Jr. bore down on him. Jason Giambi not only couldn't scoop the one-hopper, but he batted it far enough away to allow a second run to cross home plate.

Betemit, who has been criticized right here often, quickly made up for his defensive lapse in the bottom of the second, hitting a 2-run home run off Jered Weaver to tie the game. The Yankees went ahead for good an inning later when Molina and Johnny Damon laced back to back singles. The Angels played back for the double play and that's exactly what they got when Jeter bounced into (yet another) twin-killing, with Molina scoring on the play. The red-hot Bobby Abreu then crushed his 15th home run of the season and his fourth in the last four games.

The story in this game, though, was Mussina. The 39-year-old baffled the Angels' hitters with his mix of speed and guile. He retired the side in order from the third through the seventh innings to earn his 264th career win. He now stands tied with Gus Weyhing for 38th on the all-time wins list. He needs two more wins to tie Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey, two Hall of Fame members.

The Yankees offense, so desperate for a run the night before, tacked on insurance runs in the fifth through seventh innings. In addition to Molina, Alex Rodriguez also went deep for the 24th time this season. Home run number 542 puts him six behind Mike Schmidt for 12th place on the career home run list.


News and Notes

It looked like it might be a long day for Mussina when home plate ump Joe West appeared to be squeezing him on tight pitches early in the game. We still wonder how West ever got re-hired after the umpire's strike. He's one of the worst in the game and is disliked by the players.

Molina has caught 21 of Mussina's 23 starts and there's no reason to think that Joe Girardi will change that combination.

Torii Hunter was placed on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother and will miss today's game as well.

Brian Bruney pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since April 22.

August 2, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
LA Angels	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	3	0
NY Yankees	0	2	2	0	1	1	2	0	X		8	11	1

LA Angels	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Figgins, 3B	3	0	0	0	1	2	1	.278
Aybar, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.280
Teixeira, 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	.282
Guerrero, DH	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.282
Anderson, LF	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.284
Kendrick, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	.333
Rivera, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.233
Matthews, CF	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	.228
Mathis, C	3	0	0	1	0	2	1	.218
Totals	30	2	3	1	4	8	9
BATTING 2B: Kendrick (24, Mussina). TB: Anderson; Kendrick 3. RBI: Mathis (37). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Rivera. Team LOB: 5. FIELDING DP: 2 (Aybar-Kendrick-Teixeira 2).

LA Angels	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Weaver (L, 9-9)	5.0	8	6	6	1	5	4	4.37
Speier	1.1	3	2	2	1	1	0	4.89
O'Day	1.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.34

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, DH	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.316
Jeter, SS	4	0	1	1	0	1	1	.282
Abreu, RF	4	1	1	2	0	1	1	.286
Rodriguez, A, 3B	4	1	2	1	0	2	1	.325
Giambi, 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	.252
1-Sexson, PR-1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.224
Nady, LF	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	.328
a-Christian, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.269
Betemit, 2B	4	1	2	2	0	2	0	.258
Cabrera, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.246
Molina, C	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	.237
Totals	33	8	11	7	2	8	7
a-Popped out for Nady in the 8th. 1-Ran for Giambi in the 6th.
BATTING HR: Betemit (5, 2nd inning off Weaver, 1 on, 2 out), Abreu (15, 3rd inning off Weaver, 0 on, 2 out), Molina (1, 5th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (24, 6th inning off Weaver, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon; Jeter; Abreu 4; Rodriguez, A 5; Nady; Betemit 5; Molina 6. RBI: Betemit 2 (17), Abreu 2 (75), Molina (12), Rodriguez, A (66), Jeter (50). 2-out RBI: Betemit 2; Abreu. GIDP: Jeter; Nady. Team LOB: 3. FIELDING E: Betemit (3, throw).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Mussina (W, 14-7)	7.0	2	2	1	2	5	0	3.44
Veras	1.0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2.70
Bruney	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1.46

Weaver pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.

Pitches-strikes: Weaver 99-70, Speier 28-18, O'Day 19-15,
Mussina 89-58, Veras 17-11, Bruney 20-11.
Ground outs-fly outs: Weaver 5-5, Speier 3-0, O'Day 1-2,
Mussina 11-5, Veras 0-0, Bruney 0-3.
Batters faced: Weaver 23, Speier 7, O'Day 5,
Mussina 25, Veras 4, Bruney 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Speier 1-0, O'Day 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Joe West. 1B: Ed Rapuano.
2B: Scott Barry. 3B: CB Bucknor.
Weather: 76 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, R to L.
T: 2:42.
Att: 54,170.

Some Old Time Fun

August 2nd is definitely a date that lives in infamy due to the tragic death of Thurman Munson, but this year it's also a day to celebrate. The Yankees will be holding their 62nd annual Old-Timers' Day on August 2nd at Yankee Stadium. The final one to be held at the "House that Ruth Built".

Below is a partial list of those attending. Notables missing are Paul O'Neill, who indicated during a Yankees telecast that he would be attending, Bernie Williams (the Yankees better find a way of getting him there), and Don Mattingly, who will be coaching for the Dodgers.

Yogi and Whitey aren't on the list, but one would assume they will be in attendance. They HAVE to be. Some of our fondest memories are going to Old-Timers' games in the early 1970's. Even though some of those guys were only in their forties they still seemed like they were "old". Guess it was a combination of us being kids and their legendary status.

Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Frank Crosetti, Casey Stengel, Mrs. Ruth, Mrs. Gehrig, Mel Allen, and so on. It's hard to remember much of those Old-Timers' contests, but we do remember Elston Howard hitting an inside the park home run. It wasn't easy for Old-Timers to cover the huge expanse of grass back in those days.

Here's the list from Yankees.com:

Partial list of those scheduled to attend:
(*Denotes first-time Old-Timer)

Jim Abbott
Luis Arroyo
Steve Balboni
Jesse Barfield
*Don Baylor
Paul Blair
Johnny Blanchard
Ron Blomberg
Wade Boggs
Scott Bradley
Dr. Bobby Brown
Homer Bush
Andy Carey
Chris Chambliss
Horace Clarke
Jerry Coleman
David Cone
Ron Davis
Bucky Dent
Al Downing
Brian Doyle
*Dave Eiland
*Tony Fernandez
Ed Figueroa
Oscar Gamble
Joe Girardi
Eli Grba
Ken Griffey, Sr.
Ron Guidry
*Rickey Henderson
Tommy John
*Pat Kelly
*Jimmy Key
Gene "Mickey" Klutts
Johnny Kucks
Don Larsen
*Al Leiter
*Graeme Lloyd
Hector Lopez
Kevin Maas
*Tino Martinez
Bobby Meacham
*Ramiro Mendoza
Gene Michael
Rich Monteleone
*Jeff Nelson
Graig Nettles
Gil Patterson
Joe Pepitone
*Tim Raines
Bobby Richardson
Mickey Rivers
*Buck Showalter
Charlie Silvera
Bill "Moose" Skowron
Luis Sojo
Darryl Strawberry
*Wayne Tolleson
*Jeff Torborg
Mike Torrez
Tom Tresh
Bob Turley

Some Old Time Fun

August 2nd is definitely a date that lives in infamy due to the tragic death of Thurman Munson, but this year it's also a day to celebrate. The Yankees will be holding their 62nd annual Old-Timers' Day on August 2nd at Yankee Stadium. The final one to be held at the "House that Ruth Built".

Below is a partial list of those attending. Notables missing are Paul O'Neill, who indicated during a Yankees telecast that he would be attending, Bernie Williams (the Yankees better find a way of getting him there), and Don Mattingly, who will be coaching for the Dodgers.

Yogi and Whitey aren't on the list, but one would assume they will be in attendance. They HAVE to be. Some of our fondest memories are going to Old-Timers' games in the early 1970's. Even though some of those guys were only in their forties they still seemed like they were "old". Guess it was a combination of us being kids and their legendary status.

Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Frank Crosetti, Casey Stengel, Mrs. Ruth, Mrs. Gehrig, Mel Allen, and so on. It's hard to remember much of those Old-Timers' contests, but we do remember Elston Howard hitting an inside the park home run. It wasn't easy for Old-Timers to cover the huge expanse of grass back in those days.

Here's the list from Yankees.com:

Partial list of those scheduled to attend:
(*Denotes first-time Old-Timer)

Jim Abbott
Luis Arroyo
Steve Balboni
Jesse Barfield
*Don Baylor
Paul Blair
Johnny Blanchard
Ron Blomberg
Wade Boggs
Scott Bradley
Dr. Bobby Brown
Homer Bush
Andy Carey
Chris Chambliss
Horace Clarke
Jerry Coleman
David Cone
Ron Davis
Bucky Dent
Al Downing
Brian Doyle
*Dave Eiland
*Tony Fernandez
Ed Figueroa
Oscar Gamble
Joe Girardi
Eli Grba
Ken Griffey, Sr.
Ron Guidry
*Rickey Henderson
Tommy John
*Pat Kelly
*Jimmy Key
Gene "Mickey" Klutts
Johnny Kucks
Don Larsen
*Al Leiter
*Graeme Lloyd
Hector Lopez
Kevin Maas
*Tino Martinez
Bobby Meacham
*Ramiro Mendoza
Gene Michael
Rich Monteleone
*Jeff Nelson
Graig Nettles
Gil Patterson
Joe Pepitone
*Tim Raines
Bobby Richardson
Mickey Rivers
*Buck Showalter
Charlie Silvera
Bill "Moose" Skowron
Luis Sojo
Darryl Strawberry
*Wayne Tolleson
*Jeff Torborg
Mike Torrez
Tom Tresh
Bob Turley

Old-Timers Day Still a Treat

Not many teams, if any other than the Yankees, still have old-timers day. Of course not many teams have the legacy of the NY Yankees either. The names and faces have changed over the years, but old-timers day is still a treat that I look forward to every year.

I attended several of these festivities as a kid in the early 1970s. It was special seeing these Hall of Fame players, the greats, all in the old Stadium. I remember Elston Howard legging out an inside the park home run that went to the old scoreboard in left-center field. Yesterday his widow, Arlene, was in attendance.

Joe D., Mickey, Yogi, Bill Dickey, Mrs. Ruth, Mrs, Gehrig, Frankie Crossetti, Scooter, Lefty Gomez, Casey Stengel, Mel Allen, the list goes on and on. It was quite amazing.

Now my boys are the old-timers. Bobby Murcer, Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Bucky Dent, Goose, Mick the Quick, Ed Figueroa. Part of yesterday's celebration was the 30th anniversary of the 1977 team, the first WS champion in 15 years. Thurman's widow Diane, and Catfish's widow Helen were both there, as well as Billy Martin Jr.

And of course our more recent heroes. Donnie Baseball, Paulie, Scott Brosius, Jim Leyritz, Straw.

There aren't too many of the true old-timers left. Scooter sent a message that was read. Whitey and Yogi were there and Luis Arroyo, the first real closer on the Yankees. There was Bob Turley, the Yankees first Cy Young award winner in 1958. And of course Mr. Perfect, Don Larsen.

They don't move like they use to, but they still do in our memories and our dreams.

Old-Timers Day Still a Treat

Not many teams, if any other than the Yankees, still have old-timers day. Of course not many teams have the legacy of the NY Yankees either. The names and faces have changed over the years, but old-timers day is still a treat that I look forward to every year.

I attended several of these festivities as a kid in the early 1970s. It was special seeing these Hall of Fame players, the greats, all in the old Stadium. I remember Elston Howard legging out an inside the park home run that went to the old scoreboard in left-center field. Yesterday his widow, Arlene, was in attendance.

Joe D., Mickey, Yogi, Bill Dickey, Mrs. Ruth, Mrs, Gehrig, Frankie Crossetti, Scooter, Lefty Gomez, Casey Stengel, Mel Allen, the list goes on and on. It was quite amazing.

Now my boys are the old-timers. Bobby Murcer, Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Bucky Dent, Goose, Mick the Quick, Ed Figueroa. Part of yesterday's celebration was the 30th anniversary of the 1977 team, the first WS champion in 15 years. Thurman's widow Diane, and Catfish's widow Helen were both there, as well as Billy Martin Jr.

And of course our more recent heroes. Donnie Baseball, Paulie, Scott Brosius, Jim Leyritz, Straw.

There aren't too many of the true old-timers left. Scooter sent a message that was read. Whitey and Yogi were there and Luis Arroyo, the first real closer on the Yankees. There was Bob Turley, the Yankees first Cy Young award winner in 1958. And of course Mr. Perfect, Don Larsen.

They don't move like they use to, but they still do in our memories and our dreams.