Through the first five plus innings, the Yankee offense was still in it's rut. They managed one run, on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Cano, and they were dangerously close to wasting another stellar outing from a starter. Then the sky opened, the tarp came out and the Yanks seemed to relax.

The final was 4-1, and the game was never really in question after the delay. Farnsworth gave up a solo bomb to Ken Griffey Jr. which excited Michael Kay way too much. Then Farnsworth tried to field a grounder with his bare hand and hurt himself. Girardi made the right call when Farnsworth went down. He brought Mo in for the 4-out save. No use messing around with Veras or Hawkins in that situation.

Enough about today's game, we have some serious business to discuss. Michael Kay dropped a bombshell during the game. He said he spoke to Johnny Damon about the broken bat situation and Damon said he broke 40 bats all year in 2007. So far this year, he's broken 50! Here's the dilemma, my official count was up to 39 after today's game. Should we keep that tally going, only counting visually verifiable broken bats, or should we trust Damon's number? Obviously, no one would know better than Johnny, but maybe he was rounding off or exaggerating. Tough decisions. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Damon also blamed the broken bats on his disturbingly strong hands. I'm not buying it.

Player of The Game: Andy Pettitte
Team Record: 41-35
Damon: One today.

damon39.jpg



Also on the Network:
√ Cross Your Fingers [Depressed Fan]
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√ The headline of my dreams [Tremendous Upside Potential]
√ Livan Largesse [El Lefty Malo]





[June 22, 2008 9:14 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Fish said

I don't really trust Johnny Damon with anything involving counting or numbers....

[June 23, 2008 1:11 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Fish

I'm inclined to stick w/ our numbers as well. It's not that I don't trust Damon, it's that Kay character. He's highly suspect in my book.

[June 22, 2008 9:24 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Alex K. said

Johnny was probably just guessing, I say to stay with your number rather than going after a guess from a player. Realistically, do you think Damon is counting? Doubtful.

[June 23, 2008 1:22 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Alex K.

It's funny. I think if he'd lie about it he'd say the number was lower. I mean, it has to be embarrassing. Strong hands, complete b.s.

[June 23, 2008 9:04 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Tom said

I agree...I'd say Damon was just guessing or giving a nice round number to prove his point. I'd stick with your count.

I do think it's ironic that the year you start keeping track of it it becomes such a big issue.

Oh, and this is a little off-topic, but I thought you might find this interesting. Early in the year when Melky was hitting well, I remember thinking to myself "Hmmm....he seems to be more patient at the plate. It looks like he's taking some more pitches and swinging at less pitches out of the zone."

I decided not to trust my eyes and look at the numbers. Sure enough, he was walking more often, and more importantlly, his pitches per AB were up dramatically.

Since the end of April however, his BA and OBP have been steadily falling. And sure enough, his pitches per AB have been going down as well. I would appreciate it if our well-compensated hitting coach could get Melky back to that patient approach he displayed earlier this season, because he's making weak outs on pitches out of the zone way too often

[June 23, 2008 1:22 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Tom

Completely agree about Melky. He seems lost up there, and plate discipline is the main culprit.

[June 23, 2008 12:02 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Mike said

The count must go on!!