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Can Joe Girardi Repeat In 2010?

Posted by on 19 February 2010, 8:28 am

Last season’s switching of Damon and Jeter in the line-up, gave the Yankees a one-two impact that was hands-down, the best in the league.

Probably, the principal managerial choice of Joe Girardi made to date. It worked instantaneously, and made everyone wonder why Jeter had ever been in the second spot.

Jeter’s consistency of getting on base, shadowed by Damon’s hard switch-hitting bat will be a hard act to beat. Both players benefited, and so did the team.

Could it cost the Yanks a repeat? Can that kind-of chemistry be replaced?

It is going to impossible to do again, so how can Joe tweak the line-up?

Factor in the downgrade at DH, because Johnson is not equal to Matsui.

Johnson high OBP is irrelevant because getting on base requires running and being injury prone that is not his best option. So all the walks he draws will be useless if he gets thrown out constantly.

Granderson, a lefty-hitter is a powerhouse against right-handed pitchers. He has always been weak against lefties, but K. Long is a batting coach god so let’s see what he can do.

Still, who should be Jeter’s punch-buddy?

Let me play Girardi for a moment, and give the first thoughts of possible batting order:

Jeter

Granderson (swap Granderson and Johnson against lefties)

Tex

Arod

Cano

Johnson

Posada

Swisher

Gardner

Granderson has the speed for a perfect two hitter, and if he can lower his number of strikeouts this would be a nice fit. Continue reading ‘Can Joe Girardi Repeat In 2010?’ »

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Baseball’s Always On My Mind

Posted by on 14 February 2010, 3:24 am

Lady Loves Pinstripes will be back to daily blogging on February 19th, as recent elbow surgery has my right arm in a sling until the stitches come out.

Baseball season is about to start and I could not be more thrilled with anticipation of a Yankee replication. Also, looking forward to seeing how are new additions feel to the team, along with are regulars. Hope it will be thrilling, and I am referring to on the field, not actions that cannot change anything but harm the game I love so much.

Baseball is always on my mind, and can’t wait for my second season to begin.

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Who Dat? The Saints Dat Who Beat The Colts

Posted by on 8 February 2010, 1:36 am

Congratulations to the city of New Orleans, and their Saints on winning the Superbowl! You are the Champions!!

The Saints can stomp on home and start celebrating. Not only did the franchise want their first championship, but the city needed something to celebrate after Hurricane Katrina wrecked it.

Whatever Katrina took, The Saints gave it back today, and nothing can take that away ever.

The game lived up to the hype, as the two best teams battled it out till the end.

Down 10-0 at the start of the second half, the Saints momentum needed a jolt. That is exactly what Coach Sean Payton did by calling an on-side kick to confuse the Colts. Payton’s seemingly gutsy moves were pure brilliance in the victory.

The Saints defense played Peyton Manning to perfection. The patience, against the best QB in the league, sealed itself with an interception in the fourth quarter. Saints defensive end Tracy Porter picked off Manning’s signature passage rout, to score a touchdown. Porter’s timing sealed the team’s eventual win.

While Manning got rattled, Drew Brees did not; as he played with dignity by spreading the ball around to eight different receivers throughout the game.

The Saints quarterback rightfully crowned the game MVP, throwing 32-of-39 passes, for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He was the underdog team’s leader, who played with heart. Having the stress of a city on your shoulders, Brees knew how much bigger this game was than football, and New Orleans should be immensely proud.

The team finished the Colts off with a score of 31 to 17. Saints kicker Garrett Hartley earning nine of the 31 points, going 3 for 3 with each kick being over 40+ yards playing as good as it gets.

The Colts did not have it this game, and the players were superior in defeat, giving the Saints all the credit for playing better football.

After 42 years in the NFL, the Saints made history today. Let the party stay on Bourbon Street, and for Saints fans everywhere because you are the Champions now!!!

“The glory of sport is witnessing a well-coached team perform as a single unit, striving for a common goal and ultimately bringing distinction to the jersey the players represent.”
—Dick Vitale

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Are The Saints Just Their Fans Excuse To Party?

Posted by on 6 February 2010, 9:16 am

The championship in any professional sport, team or person, is a real accomplishment. For athletes, its reassurance and enormous attention. Whether it is tennis, baseball, boxing or hockey, everyone involved went from zero to hero and especially with the fans.

The City of New Orleans deserves winning this Sunday, or any other day of the week after all the tragedy forced upon it. The players would not only be the Champs, but true Saints at home.

New Orleans residents seem to have turned enthusiasm for the Saints into an excuse to party, because no success to relish in yet.

In addition, not only are Saints underdogs, they are virgins to the Superbowl and it is overwhelming off-the-field distractions.

Talk about pressure, because losing is just not an option. It is reality, either the Colts or the Saints will lose. Getting so close, is still #2 or second spot and that feeling should not be sturdy enough.

The responsibility of Saints Head-coach Sean Payton is to remind his side the entire season will be obsolete, and the only record second seat earns is none at all.

Watching the City of New Orleans spirit is inspirational, but no classes or work pre-Superbowl for some and city-wide for Monday following does not make for better fans. Continue reading ‘Are The Saints Just Their Fans Excuse To Party?’ »

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Gold Bloggy Award Winner!

Posted by on 5 February 2010, 8:04 am

Lady Loves Pinstripes won an award this week!

I just wanted to thank Noemi for her lovely criteria review of this blog, and everyone at Splash Press Media for this honor.

Please read the REVIEW OF LADY LOVES PINSTRIPES!!

About Bloggy Award

Welcome to Bloggy Award. We regularly review blogs based on our quality criteria, and every month we award deserving blogs with our Bloggy Award badges!

Blogs have become very popular in the past couple of years because they gave individuals a voice on the Internet. You no longer have to be a hotshot publisher, an ace reporter or a sought-after columnist to get your thoughts read. You can have a free account with a blog host and post your thoughts online anytime you want.

However, having a great blog is not easy pickings. There are a few things that separate a great blog from a good blog, and also a good blog from one that?s downright rubbish. There are tens of millions of blogs out there, so it?s great to have an excellent blog that stands out!

It takes a good combination of content and design to make a good blog. Add to that a dash of personality and a good sprinkling of passion, and you might just have what it takes to have a great blog. And here, we reward well-written, well-designed blogs that are created and maintained with passion and personality with the Bloggy Award.

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Can Joba Rule Without Having Any?

Posted by on 4 February 2010, 12:22 pm

Days before the Superbowl, always a slow time for the baseball world, as players enjoy their last days before Spring Training.

With an opening in the fifth starter role, debates about this decision are in full swing.

Surprisingly, one Yankee will arrive in Tampa in just a week. His goal is to bind all the work he put in since winning the World Series, determined to prove himself once and for all.

Joba Chamberlain traded in DWI and strip bar brawls, for a daily exercise regimen in preparation for the battle. Joba name has not been a headline since World Series; his virtual silence giving goose bumps to Yankee Universe theory of the choice of what could happen.

The only certainty is Joba went to New Jersey to throw and talk baseball with teammate CC Sabathia.

Joba knows that Phil Hughes worked out all previous off-season, and it showed. Hughes switch to the bullpen was a pivotal role in changing the 2009 season’s attitude to winning.

Hughes confidence and grace had matured; along with his body noticeably fuller. Hughes has a usual demeanor seemingly more right to work seven plus innings.

My mind has never wavered from Joba to Mo and Hughes as a starter, until now.

Listening and reading Joba’s campaign is opening me up to see what he is capable of doing. Joba loves trouble, as clear since the infamous ‘Bug Game‘ against the Indians in Game 2 of the 2007 playoffs.

What a relief not to have to hear about the ‘Joba Rules’ that no one was perfectly clear on, including Joba which obviously affected him. No rules, no innings or frequency counts, no-fault excuses anymore for Chamberlain opening the door for a decision to be made.

The truth is both these young guys could be starters, but reality has to be faced. Mariano Rivera is almost 41 and the Yankees coming closer needs to have a period setting up for Mo. The two top candidates are these two players. It is only reasonable not jeopardizing the futures of two promising players.

Thoughts of a Yankee team without Mariano makes Yankees Universe shake too much that avoidance or denial makes sense. Mo’s time left remains unknown, but it is not much.

Playing musical chairs with Joba and Hughes for another term would be wasting it, instead of embracing it.

“The first rule is not to lose. The second rule is not to forget the first rule.” – Warren Buffet

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New Orleans Paints The City Like Saints

Posted by on 3 February 2010, 5:10 pm

Who Dat? Who Dat?

It’s the City of New Orleans who is familiar to the Superbowl, playing gracious host to the big game many times.

The patient Saints fans watching as team after team celebrated in their home.

Now, it’s their turn, as the Saints are just days away from playing in their first Superbowl ever.

Who couldn’t cheer for a city who’s undying spirit is on full display, after all the devastation it’s faced?

If your not a Colts fan, the answer is you can’t. To be anything other than awestruck, inspired and a little jealous, but in a good way because loyalty like that becomes contagious.

Easy to forget that the Saints could still lose on Sunday, as Payton Manning’s Colts can rival it with talent.

The Saint’s formula will focus on two main aspects:

Do anything and everything to stop Peyton Manning.

  • The defense must limit Manning to short passes, while not relying on the blitz. Manning is 6’6 feet tall so it is hard to limit his vision by charging him from the sides. Rattle him coming straight up the middle as the Colts love to control the center with their pass game. The Saints coverage of Guarcone, Clarke and Collie is a key reason.
  • Manning is the best liar, as his pre-snap antics on the line allow him to read the defense to the last second on the play clock and gets defenses to fold their cards. The Saints have to beat him at this own game by being inconsistent especially on man to man coverage, mixing up coverage to the point where their uncomfortable.
  • Can’t overlook Joseph Adi by Manning need for attention.
  • The Colts offense need to run the clock when possible because keeping Manning off the field for even seconds can decide the game.

Reggie Bush and Jermon Bushrod

  • Reggie Bush has to have a huge game.  Bush is a functional player who outrun any team both as a running back and a wide receiver.
  • Utilize Bush’s arsenal from the start, to allow openings for Brees to throw long. Brees is a great third down QB and can be relied  under pressure.
  • Saints left tackle, Jermon Bushrod protection of Brees blindside, from the Colts first-class defensive end Dwight Freeney is essential. Freeney is questionable with an ankle injury, but couldn’t imagine him not playing.
  • Saints have to score touchdowns because this is where they have the advantage.

Will the Saints go marching in?

The City of New Orleans will be waiting, no matter what.

Waiting for the champions is only appropriate, and the Saints would love to be the ones to do that.

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