New York Yankees 2008 Season Official Thread

thomamon · 03-30-2008, 04:56 PM

To say it has been a long off season would be a huge understatement. The thoughts of Joba Chamberlin swarmed by bugs in Cleveland are a distant memory, George Steinbrenner opening his fat mouth in the middle of a divisional series threatening Joe Torre seems so last year. Speaking of… Joe Torre? Was that this off season when Joe Torre walked away and another Joe, Joe Girardi was named the new manager over one of the all time Yankee favorites Don Mattingly (It turned out to be OK anyway, Mattingly later walked away from his job as hitting coach of the Dodgers when his wife flipped out and said he would have had to walk away from the manager job as well.) What about that announcement by Scott Boras during the final game of the world series, A-Rod is no longer a Yankee! There were contract talks with Mariano and Jorge that eventually kept them with the Yankees, but for too long??? What the hell, A-Rod is back! And the rumors about Johan Santana and giving up some of our big named specs, thank goodness for the Mets. Then December came and ‘The Mitchell Report’ was released, need I say more? I don’t think so, the expression “Beating a dead horse” comes to mind. And let us not forget, both ComishJoe and I were both married!

Well, tomorrow afternoon the longest off season in history will be just that, history. It’ll be time for Peanuts and Cracker Jacks as the Opening Day Bunting will hang at Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth built(And DiMaggio, Mantle, Gehrig, Munson, Mattingly also took a lease out on) for one final time. Jeter, Posada, Cano, Rivera and A-Rod will help try and guide the Yankees for one more magic run in arguably the most historic stadium of all time. With so many great memories and moments happening at 161st, there really would be only one proper way to close down The Original Yankee Stadium, and of course that would be by celebrating World Championship #27! Also, to help celebrate, Yankee Stadium will host the 79th Midsummer Classic.

2008 looks like it may be a very exciting year for the Yankees. Quite honestly, how well the Yankees perform is still up in the air. Probably the biggest factor will be a trio of players named Kennedy, Hughes and Chamberlin. For about as long as I can remember, I haven’t been this excited to see 3 rookies like these three will perform. Can they possibly be the real deal? So often you’ll hear about other specs coming up and they say you are lucky if just one of them pans out. But I don’t think I’m alone in thinking, feeling or maybe just hoping when I say perhaps these three may be something special.

Receiving the honors of starting the last opening day at Yankee Stadium is Chien-Ming Wang. There couldn’t be a more deserving pitcher either; Wang is coming off of consecutive 19 win seasons. And don’t forget Wang missed the opportunity last year when he missed most of April with an injury. Andy Pettitte will start the year on the DL, but should return in the first week. He was sharp in his last spring outing, but will the memories of the off season affect Pettittes performance? Knowing the battler that Andy is, I highly doubt that it is possible. All Yankee fans know when Pettitte is on the mound, he’s all business and there is no reason that will change in 2008.

A-Rod returns but how will he perform? If he plays anything like he did in 2007, all will be good. But how will the off season shenanigans effect his mental state and just how will the fans receive him when he’s announced on opening day. Will the crawling back behind Boras’ back be enough to mend the fences of seemingly walking away from the Yankees. Derek Jeter is said to be in tremendous shape, many are predicting an MVP type season from him. Robinson Cano started off slow last year, but still managed to finish the year batting .306 with 19 Home Runs and 97 RBI’s in 160 games. He was rewarded with a four your contract this off season, things should be very exciting for Cano this year.

Jorge’s back after an amazing 2007. He’s brought a four year deal with him, some may say the Yankees are nuts giving him that sort of contract at his age for a catcher, you can definitely include me in that group. However, with that said, I have a hunch the Yankees plan may not be for Posada to be a catcher for very much longer. I believe starting this year we’ll see Posada start developing more and more time at first base. Do not be surprised if by next year, Posada is the regular first basemen for the Yanks.

Well, we all know what the Yankees OF looks like this year, but I believe this may be the next part of the team we see transformed. Abreu’s contract expires this year and Matsui and Damon after next year. I would expect a better year from Damon after last year, at 34, if he can stay healthy you know he has game left. I believe Abreu will have another solid year and Matsui should be fine at DH since he seems to have forgotten how to play the outfield.

And then there is the bullpen. Mariano Rivera at 38 is back and ready to close down games again. Let’s hope he can keep it together. We know Mariano is the best closer in the history, but everyone wonders just how long it will be till father time catches up with him. Joba will start the year in the bullpen, and you know that’s a good thing for the pen. However, just how much of a blow will it be when he’s moved into the rotation is still to be determined. Guys with the name of Farnsworth, Hawkins and others will determine that.

Well, there you have it, this is our New York Yankees 2008 Season Official Thread!

Lets Playball!

robster1225 · 03-30-2008, 09:11 PM

Wow, nice, Tom. As if I wasn't already stoked for the season, now I can't wait until 1:05 tomorrow!

1998 Yankees · 03-30-2008, 10:31 PM

Great kickoff!

And nice bunting (the red, white, and blue kind, not the smallball kind). How did you get it to hang at the top of your post like that?

I hope the weather holds tomorrow. But that's why Tuesday is scheduled as an off day, in case there's a rainout.

Enjoy the season, youse guys.

thomamon · 03-30-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Great kickoff!

And nice bunting (the red, white, and blue kind, not the smallball kind). How did you get it to hang at the top of your post like that?

Opening Day Magic

darkenigma510 · 03-30-2008, 11:26 PM

Good luck tomorrow Yankee fans...but not too much luck

edog23 · 03-31-2008, 01:23 AM

Opening Day is my favorite day of the year and getting a chance to watch the Yankees home opener is gonna be fun. It'd be a helluva lot better if I was there in person but seeing it on TV will do.

CommishJoe · 03-31-2008, 08:52 AM

hmm, 12:05. I should be able to pull up Foxsports' GameTracker and keep tabs on what's going on. I wish I could watch it on TV but ah well. If the snow starts early enough (we're supposed to get 4-8 inches today), I might have a good enough excuse to go home early

Great job on the opening post Tom. It was well worth the wait. And, thanks for the shout out

Dark, good luck to your Jays as well. May they go 18-0 against the Sox and 0-18 against the Yankees

Hey, I'm still rooting for them to go .500 which isn't bad is it???

CommishJoe · 03-31-2008, 08:54 AM

dola,

Here's the report from Foxsports on who is in the Yankees' bullpen:

BULLPEN:

RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)

RHP Joba Chamberlain

RHP LaTroy Hawkins

RHP Kyle Farnsworth

LHP Billy Traber

RHP Ross Ohlendorf

jaxmagicman · 03-31-2008, 09:10 AM

I now hate the Red Sox more than the Yankees, thus I have turned into a Yankee fan, because someone needs to beat the Red Sox up.

CommishJoe · 03-31-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

I now hate the Red Sox more than the Yankees, thus I have turned into a Yankee fan, because someone needs to beat the Red Sox up.

Welcome Jax

I usually don't like bandwagon fans, but I'll make an exception in your case.

thomamon · 03-31-2008, 12:03 PM

Woohoo, pre-game is on! What a nice new studio

Still, why the hell is Cone doing Yankee announcing? Yuck, lol

thomamon · 03-31-2008, 12:06 PM

Wow, what a different lineup. Girardi is showing alot of confidence in Giambi, maybe that will give him a boost??? I like Cano batting up in the lineup, but they dropped Matsui to 8th!

Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Rodriguez
Giambi
Cano
Posada
Matsui
Cabrera

robster1225 · 03-31-2008, 01:41 PM

grrr, i hate rain delays

thomamon · 03-31-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robster1225

grrr, i hate rain delays

You and I both

darkenigma510 · 03-31-2008, 02:35 PM

So what are you guys feelings on Mussina? Do you think he has anything left in the tank?

darkenigma510 · 03-31-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robster1225

grrr, i hate rain delays

I hate rain outs more!

CommishJoe · 03-31-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkenigma510

So what are you guys feelings on Mussina? Do you think he has anything left in the tank?

I think he's done. He might make for an effective long reliever or a spot relief appearance here and there, but I don't he can be effective every 5th day. If Chamberlain does make an appearance into the rotation this season, it'll be to replace Mussina.

I hate rain outs too

1998 Yankees · 03-31-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

I hate rain outs too

People in the stands were cheering, though, that the Yankees decided to make tomorrow's opener a night game. Those folks don't have to miss another day of work, you see.

thomamon · 03-31-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkenigma510

So what are you guys feelings on Mussina? Do you think he has anything left in the tank?

Ah ****, I forgot to mention the going away party I'm throwing at seasons end for Mussina and Giambi!!!

Mussina is done, kaput, finished!

thomamon · 03-31-2008, 11:49 PM

As a matter of fact, lets take bets on what happens first.

Mussina is dropped from the rotation

OR

Giambi goes on the DL

03-30-2008, 04:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
thomamon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 3,776	New York Yankees 2008 Season Official Thread To say it has been a long off season would be a huge understatement. The thoughts of Joba Chamberlin swarmed by bugs in Cleveland are a distant memory, George Steinbrenner opening his fat mouth in the middle of a divisional series threatening Joe Torre seems so last year. Speaking of… Joe Torre? Was that this off season when Joe Torre walked away and another Joe, Joe Girardi was named the new manager over one of the all time Yankee favorites Don Mattingly (It turned out to be OK anyway, Mattingly later walked away from his job as hitting coach of the Dodgers when his wife flipped out and said he would have had to walk away from the manager job as well.) What about that announcement by Scott Boras during the final game of the world series, A-Rod is no longer a Yankee! There were contract talks with Mariano and Jorge that eventually kept them with the Yankees, but for too long??? What the hell, A-Rod is back! And the rumors about Johan Santana and giving up some of our big named specs, thank goodness for the Mets. Then December came and ‘The Mitchell Report’ was released, need I say more? I don’t think so, the expression “Beating a dead horse” comes to mind. And let us not forget, both ComishJoe and I were both married! Well, tomorrow afternoon the longest off season in history will be just that, history. It’ll be time for Peanuts and Cracker Jacks as the Opening Day Bunting will hang at Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth built(And DiMaggio, Mantle, Gehrig, Munson, Mattingly also took a lease out on) for one final time. Jeter, Posada, Cano, Rivera and A-Rod will help try and guide the Yankees for one more magic run in arguably the most historic stadium of all time. With so many great memories and moments happening at 161st, there really would be only one proper way to close down The Original Yankee Stadium, and of course that would be by celebrating World Championship #27! Also, to help celebrate, Yankee Stadium will host the 79th Midsummer Classic. 2008 looks like it may be a very exciting year for the Yankees. Quite honestly, how well the Yankees perform is still up in the air. Probably the biggest factor will be a trio of players named Kennedy, Hughes and Chamberlin. For about as long as I can remember, I haven’t been this excited to see 3 rookies like these three will perform. Can they possibly be the real deal? So often you’ll hear about other specs coming up and they say you are lucky if just one of them pans out. But I don’t think I’m alone in thinking, feeling or maybe just hoping when I say perhaps these three may be something special. Receiving the honors of starting the last opening day at Yankee Stadium is Chien-Ming Wang. There couldn’t be a more deserving pitcher either; Wang is coming off of consecutive 19 win seasons. And don’t forget Wang missed the opportunity last year when he missed most of April with an injury. Andy Pettitte will start the year on the DL, but should return in the first week. He was sharp in his last spring outing, but will the memories of the off season affect Pettittes performance? Knowing the battler that Andy is, I highly doubt that it is possible. All Yankee fans know when Pettitte is on the mound, he’s all business and there is no reason that will change in 2008. A-Rod returns but how will he perform? If he plays anything like he did in 2007, all will be good. But how will the off season shenanigans effect his mental state and just how will the fans receive him when he’s announced on opening day. Will the crawling back behind Boras’ back be enough to mend the fences of seemingly walking away from the Yankees. Derek Jeter is said to be in tremendous shape, many are predicting an MVP type season from him. Robinson Cano started off slow last year, but still managed to finish the year batting .306 with 19 Home Runs and 97 RBI’s in 160 games. He was rewarded with a four your contract this off season, things should be very exciting for Cano this year. Jorge’s back after an amazing 2007. He’s brought a four year deal with him, some may say the Yankees are nuts giving him that sort of contract at his age for a catcher, you can definitely include me in that group. However, with that said, I have a hunch the Yankees plan may not be for Posada to be a catcher for very much longer. I believe starting this year we’ll see Posada start developing more and more time at first base. Do not be surprised if by next year, Posada is the regular first basemen for the Yanks. Well, we all know what the Yankees OF looks like this year, but I believe this may be the next part of the team we see transformed. Abreu’s contract expires this year and Matsui and Damon after next year. I would expect a better year from Damon after last year, at 34, if he can stay healthy you know he has game left. I believe Abreu will have another solid year and Matsui should be fine at DH since he seems to have forgotten how to play the outfield. And then there is the bullpen. Mariano Rivera at 38 is back and ready to close down games again. Let’s hope he can keep it together. We know Mariano is the best closer in the history, but everyone wonders just how long it will be till father time catches up with him. Joba will start the year in the bullpen, and you know that’s a good thing for the pen. However, just how much of a blow will it be when he’s moved into the rotation is still to be determined. Guys with the name of Farnsworth, Hawkins and others will determine that. Well, there you have it, this is our New York Yankees 2008 Season Official Thread! Lets Playball! __________________ The OOTP Mod Squad - Your One Stop Shop for all of your OOTP MODS! Rosters, Schedules, Stadiums, Face Packs, Quick Starts and so much more! Come download and/or share your MODS today! APBL - Commissioner - New York Yankees

03-30-2008, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
robster1225 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Branch, NJ Posts: 2,524	Wow, nice, Tom. As if I wasn't already stoked for the season, now I can't wait until 1:05 tomorrow! __________________ Total Sports World - The Place To Get Your Sports Fix! eMLB - New York Mets 2013 - 30-23 2014 - 93-69 (First ever post season appearance for the Mets) BLB - Los Lunas Javelinas

03-30-2008, 10:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
1998 Yankees Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yankee Stadium Posts: 4,922	Great kickoff! And nice bunting (the red, white, and blue kind, not the smallball kind). How did you get it to hang at the top of your post like that? I hope the weather holds tomorrow. But that's why Tuesday is scheduled as an off day, in case there's a rainout. Enjoy the season, youse guys. __________________ The 1998 Yankees are considered to be among the The Best Major League Baseball Teams Ever From 1902-2005 by Baseball Almanac. They were 68-20 at home that year (including playoffs and World Series) in the original Yankee Stadium (1923-2008), "Where Players Became Legends."

03-30-2008, 11:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
darkenigma510 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Wild West Posts: 1,292	Good luck tomorrow Yankee fans...but not too much luck __________________

03-31-2008, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: In Guam training to be a defloration-maker Posts: 6,448	I now hate the Red Sox more than the Yankees, thus I have turned into a Yankee fan, because someone needs to beat the Red Sox up. __________________ See ID

03-31-2008, 01:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
edog23 Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca. Posts: 353	Opening Day is my favorite day of the year and getting a chance to watch the Yankees home opener is gonna be fun. It'd be a helluva lot better if I was there in person but seeing it on TV will do.

03-31-2008, 12:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
thomamon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 3,776	Woohoo, pre-game is on! What a nice new studio Still, why the hell is Cone doing Yankee announcing? Yuck, lol __________________ The OOTP Mod Squad - Your One Stop Shop for all of your OOTP MODS! Rosters, Schedules, Stadiums, Face Packs, Quick Starts and so much more! Come download and/or share your MODS today! APBL - Commissioner - New York Yankees

03-31-2008, 12:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
thomamon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 3,776	Wow, what a different lineup. Girardi is showing alot of confidence in Giambi, maybe that will give him a boost??? I like Cano batting up in the lineup, but they dropped Matsui to 8th! Damon Jeter Abreu Rodriguez Giambi Cano Posada Matsui Cabrera __________________ The OOTP Mod Squad - Your One Stop Shop for all of your OOTP MODS! Rosters, Schedules, Stadiums, Face Packs, Quick Starts and so much more! Come download and/or share your MODS today! APBL - Commissioner - New York Yankees

03-31-2008, 01:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
robster1225 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Branch, NJ Posts: 2,524	grrr, i hate rain delays __________________ Total Sports World - The Place To Get Your Sports Fix! eMLB - New York Mets 2013 - 30-23 2014 - 93-69 (First ever post season appearance for the Mets) BLB - Los Lunas Javelinas

03-31-2008, 02:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
darkenigma510 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Wild West Posts: 1,292	So what are you guys feelings on Mussina? Do you think he has anything left in the tank? __________________

03-31-2008, 11:49 PM	#20 (permalink)
thomamon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 3,776	As a matter of fact, lets take bets on what happens first. Mussina is dropped from the rotation OR Giambi goes on the DL __________________ The OOTP Mod Squad - Your One Stop Shop for all of your OOTP MODS! Rosters, Schedules, Stadiums, Face Packs, Quick Starts and so much more! Come download and/or share your MODS today! APBL - Commissioner - New York Yankees

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