Yankees Blog

Well… since today is a day off for the Yankees.. I might as well use this time for another rant. Todays rant… Pinch Running for Giambi.


When will Torre learn that he needs to STOP pinch running for Jason Giambi?? There have already been 4 games this season, in which Pinch Running for Jason Giambi has backfired on Torre.
How many time do we have to have players like Kevin Thompson, and Miguel Cairo coming to the plate, in the heart of the line up, with the game on the line, in the 9th inning? (Normally.. it would be Giambi up with runners on base).


You can not pull a hitter like Giambi out of your lineup at the end of a game. Torre seems to not understand the concept of “WHEN to use a pinch runner”.
1) You do not pinch run for a major hitter in the lineup, unless it is a situation where the runner is in scoring position to WIN the game … and you will not need the big bat again.


2) You do not pinch run for a major hitter, when there are 2 outs, and he is on first base, and is not guaranteed he will even be a factor.


3) If you DO pinch run for a major hitter on first base...then you MUST steal second.

4) You do NOT pinch run for a major hitter when there are 2 outs, and he is on second or third base, because even a slow runner is scoring on a hit ANYWAY.


So … in conclusion… STOP PINCH RUNNING FOR GIAMBI… unless its a game winning run. I am tired of seeing backups batting in the 4th and 5th slot of the lineup with the game on the line in the 9th inning.
I’ve seen the Yanks get screwed by this move too many times last year…and already 4-5 times this year!!



Posted in Yankee Baseball |

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1 comment to “Another Rant: STOP Pinch Running for Giambi”

1. Julio Vasquez said:
   April 30th, 2007 at 10:46 pm

   I agree, but you’re expecting Torre to learn something?

   After he was done sleeping with Nick Johnson, he has now started his love fest with Scott Proctor. When he learns to not take Wang out after 83 pitches just to get Proctor in the game - is the day he’ll realize that pinch running Josh Phelps for Giambi

   a) still leaves the Yankees in DP trouble with a ground ball hit to SS or 2B (Phelps isn’t that much of a speed upgrade)

   b) ow puts Phelps bat ion play, and who in their right mind would do that?

   probably the same team that went after Pavano, Wright, Brown, and Igawa (although Igawa came u big this Saturday).

   IF Torre learns to stop PR for Giambi, maybe he’ll realize 100 pitches in AAA is the same stress on the arm as 100 pitches in MLB.

   Leave Hughes in tomorrow…..and save the bullpen with back to back days rest.

   or, you know, use another 5 pitchers tomorrow, up 5 runs or down 5 runs.

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