What is it about Melky?
Beautiful day here in Chicago. A surprising number of Yankees fans were dodging raindrops on Michigan Avenue yesterday. Maybe it shouldn’t surprise us.
Melky Cabrera: What is it about Melky that he seems to come up with a big hit just when the Yankees need one? Like his three-run homer off Buehrle in the second inning.
Jerry Hairston Jr.: Girardi loves his versatility. Girardi also loves Ransom. It’s hard to see the need for both.
Ozzie Guillen: We didn’t have to bleep him at all for pregame today. That might be a first. He is fun. He also promised a quick game today. Um, maybe not.
Jake Peavy: If his new team’s preferred timetable is correct, he’ll face the Red Sox and Yankees on a road trip that begins Aug. 24. Ozzie hopes Peavy, who threw in the bullpen today, could make his debut even before then.
Al Leiter and the Rev. Jesse Jackson: What do these gentlemen have in common? Both paid dinner tabs last night in one of Chicago’s most popular restaurants. Leiter left a 20 percent tip, picking up the sizable tab for a table of four. Thanks, Al. (Full disclosure: Kay picked up the bar tab and also left a 20 percent tip. Thanks, Michael.) Restaurant sources indicated the Rev. Jackson went the 8 percent route, leaving $31 on a tab of just over $28 dollars.
CC Sabathia and Mark Buerhle: Halfway through and there are 20 hits and 11 runs on the board. And Tony Pena, not the bench coach, has relieved Buerhle. That’s baseball, as they say.
The Kimberly Jones Blog 
Melky is so much fun to watch just out there having fun.When he got that triple I don’t know if I was more excited or he was for that cycle. Great win after 3 miserable losses but hey at least Yanks are still in first place by half game. All the fans that complained that they didn’t get anyone better than Hairston he might not be so bad after all. At the very least he’s an upgrade over Ransom.
Of all the players to end the nearly-fourteen-year cycle drought, I am SO glad it was Melky! (I’ll accept it as a belated birthday present.) What a year he’s having — and what a turnaround after being sent down last year. He’s been coming through from the beginning of the season. I hope they saved the ball for him.~~~~
A lot of the posters to a Yankees mailing list I subscribe to were watching/listening to the game and posting to the list at the same time. Several of us screamed ourselves silly when he hit for the cycle. ~~~~
And, to echo Michael after your on-field interview — “You got a ‘You’re welcome’!” ~~~~
Thurman is smiling at today’s win — it’s the kind of game he could appreciate. RIP.~~~~
Kathy
Of all the players to end the nearly-fourteen-year cycle drought, I am SO glad it was Melky! (I’ll accept it as a belated birthday present.) What a year he’s having — and what a turnaround after being sent down last year. He’s been coming through from the beginning of the season. I hope they saved the ball for him.~~~~
A lot of the posters to a Yankees mailing list I subscribe to were watching/listening to the game and posting to the list at the same time. Several of us screamed ourselves silly when he hit for the cycle. ~~~~
And, to echo Michael after your on-field interview — “You got a ‘You’re welcome’!” ~~~~
Thurman is smiling at today’s win — it’s the kind of game he could appreciate. RIP.~~~~
Kathy
Hairston is a solid upgrade over Ransom. Let’s replace his roster spot with a pitcher, please. This weekend should make that obvious! Congrats to Melky! I was at Bobby Murcer’s cycle in 1972. It’s hard to believe that this team goes so long without them. 2009, 1995, 1972 & 1957 (Mickey) were the last 4.
Melky is the best, one of our favorite Yankees. Please get some pitching…
Kimberly:
On the issue of pitching, I know what Girardi is going to do when Joba reaches his limit. He’s switching places with Hughes. Ssh, don’t tell Michael Kay.
Kim,
I just want to know what nickname(s) you or your colleagues have come up with for Jerry Hairston, Jr. If you’re still stumped, I have one that I would like to hear some opinion on: the J-Hey Kid. You know, like Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid. Think about it. Boom.
-EJ the Kid From New York
http://yankeesquad.mlblogs.com
Kim,
My family and I were in Chicago this past weekend, went to Friday nights game. By any chance was the restaurant Carmines? We were there for dinner on Saturday night.
Hello Kim,
What is it about Melky? It’s magic. What else could it be! His cycle was absolutely thrilling and hopefully will be a great portent of good things to come. I was so happy for him. Tonight, let’s hope Andy can finally get some run support and beat Halladay. Hey, more magic needed. Also, would it really be so bad to give Kei Igawa a shot at the number 5 spot? Remember that “magical” game he had against the Red Sox when Jeff Karstens broke his leg early in the game? Do you believe in magic? I do.
“There’s something about Melky” would have been a cleverer title for this.
No question the Hairston, Jr. acquisition puts Ransom on the “bye-bye” list. Too bad, though, because w/this many people all over “the Universe” calling for his ouster, it must mean that the guy can play. Not only is Ransom a versatile infielder, capable of playing all four infield spots, but like Hairston, Jr., I’d bet he could play all three of the outfield spots, too, if given the chance, & I’d bet he could handle it easily.
Ok, Ransom’s not a superstar, probably not even an everyday player, but he’s talented, & imo, just needs a chance to get enough reps so he can get comfortable somewhere. Alas, it’s probably not meant to be, certainly not here w/the Yanks. I have several issues w/Girardi & some of his decisions, but having the guts to stick w/Ransom despite all the calls for his execution ain’t one of them.
Why is Joba not wearing this years official baseball cap during games?
Please have a chat during the week.