ICYMI: The Almost Daily Dozen: #Hashtags trending on TGP

From Bryan Knepper:

I really don't want to talk about how #TheBinder lost the game by trying to be cute tonight or how awful Headley must feel after the #FormerYankeeKiller Russell Martin hit the go-ahead infield single.  Instead here are some of my personal favorite hashtags that we, here at The Greedy Pinstripes, like to use during LIVE tweets of the games:

1. #TheBinder.  If you didn't know, Joe Girardi's nickname is "The Binder".  He goes to his faithful book of knowledge for virtually every situation and in my opinion out thinks himself quite often.  This mostly happens with the pitching staff.

2. #ForgiveARod.  Led by DBurchHero, we here have been trumpeting for A-Rod to be forgiven for his transgressions.  It is the only way to move on as an organization.

3. #GetGreedy.  The namesake of this blog came from a tongue-in-cheek effort by several of us here at TGP when we were over on another (and obsolete) forum.  It started with the effort to bring Manny Ramirez back to the Bronx and was used to make fun of the less-endowed bank accounts of lesser teams.

4. #NappyBeard.  This started last year every time Mike Napoli and his nasty beard would come to the plate against the Yankees or if he makes a stupid error in the field.  We don't like him...does it show?

5. #EllsBells.  Supposedly the Sahx fans used this for him at Fenway...since I've never been to FP, I contend that I came up with it.  Sorry Boston...you lose again.

6. #ShutTheKrukUp.  This was added to the TGP lexicon just last night and should be pretty self-explanatory. John Kruk is a horrible broadcaster and just needs to concentrate on eating chili cheese dogs instead of doting over Dustin Pedroia.

7. #FormerYankeeKiller.  It seems that every former Yankee that plays them comes up with big hits or big outs on the mound (re: Russell Martin tonight OR Philthy in the past OR even Joba on occasion).

8. #EnterSandman.  Wow...don't you wish this was still an active hashtag on twitter? Although that other guy is doing well right now, which brings me to...

9. #MillerTime.  Yeah...so it's not very inventive...so sue us! Wit and sarcasm takes a lot of work...it's nice to be able to rest our brains in the 9th inning.

10. #Knepper'sFault.  This is primarily used to describe when the Yankees start losing after I turn on the game or something bad happens due to superstition.  It's primarily (over)used by Daniel Burch.

11. #TanakaTime.  Let's hope we get to use this hashtag pretty soon, eh?

12. #GardyParty.  Use this whenever Brett #TheHitman Gardner does something great on the diamond, which is on average 2.5 times per game.

I hope you enjoyed this abbreviated list of a DOZEN #Hashtags commonly used by TGP.  What are some of your favorite #Yankees hashtags?  Feel free to add them to the comments section and who knows they may be trending during tomorrow's game!

Hiroki Kuroda Has Hit The Wall... Again

Hiroki Kuroda has hit an invisible wall the last two seasons in August and it looks as though the third time is the charm for the Yankee right hander. Kuroda looks like he is well on his way to hitting another wall in the most important part of the season when the Yankees need him most. With a patch work rotation in New York and Kuroda being the only member of the Spring Training rotation left standing the Yankees cannot stand for Kuroda to be ineffective and still make a postseason spot.

You would think that the Yankees would have monitored his innings closely this season, like I mentioned in a few posts on this blog, to try and prevent yet another breakdown and fade but that was not the case. Heading into August of 2012 Kuroda had thrown 137.1 innings heading into August and in 2013 the righty had thrown 140.1 innings. Heading into August of 2014 Kuroda has thrown 135.1 innings and is on pace for another 200 IP season. Is Joe Girardi, Mr. Binder, Mr. Stats, not paying attention?

Kuroda seemingly hits a wall at 85 pitches or so and tends to labor and struggle until the 100 pitch mark when he is usually taken out of the game. Kuroda has thrown 100 pitches or more eight times this season including four times in July. Kuroda's two starts in July where he did not throw at least 100 pitches he threw 99 and 94 pitches respectively. This is down from 22 times he threw 100 pitches or more in 2012 (including August and September) and 21 times in 2013 but still, the trend is disconcerting.

You could make the case that Kuroda has been unlucky or run into good offenses or use this stat or that stat but the fact remains that when you're tired and your struggling you tend to lose control. Kuroda walked four guys in his last start including his last two batters, one of which with the bases loaded to walk in a run, and you cannot chalk up control and command to anything but an injury or fatigue.

If Girardi doesn't start watching what he's doing with Kuroda now he will be doing the same thing this October as he was last October, nothing.

Quick Hit: Imagining The Yankees Lineup w/ Headley

The New York Yankees acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres about two seasons too late yesterday afternoon in case you missed it and have been living under a rock. Headley adds some legitimate infield defense to a team that is severely lacking in that department and a switch hitting bat that could be a big upgrade over Kelly Johnson.

Let's take a look at the lineup I think manager Joe Girardi will put out with his newly acquired third baseman:

LF Brett Gardner

SS Derek Jeter

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

1B Mark Teixeira

C Brian McCann

DH Carlos Beltran

3B Chase Headley

2B Brian Roberts

RF Ichiro Suzuki

This is not exactly the lineup that I would put out there but this is my guess for what the binder would spit out tonight against Yu Darvish if Teixeira were healthy. Personally I think I would bat Headley a little higher in the order, maybe behind Teixeira, and switch Ellsbury and Gardner but maybe it's just me.

Can't Predict Baseball: The Binder Before It Was Cool

On this day in 1953 the Chicago White Sox loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning against the New York Yankees while being down 3-1 entering the inning. Chicago pinch hit southpaw pitcher Tommy Byrne for the right handed hitting third basemen Vern Stephens with the bases loaded in a questionable move at best since Stephens had ten career grand slams at the time. The binder was correct as Byrne hit a grand slam off the Yankees Ewell Blackwell to give Chicago the 5-3 victory.

Exclusive Interview With Joe Girardi's Binder

Prospects Month just got really interesting here on The Greedy Pinstripes as I pulled some strings and landed our latest interview with the true manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Girardi's binder. As we all know the binder holds all the secrets to the world and the inner workings of Girardi's mind and we got to spend a few hours picking it, what a pleasure it was I add. If you ever wanted to know why Joe and the Yankees remain so successful keep reading this very entertaining interview. 

The Greedy Pinstripes:  Wow I think we are the first to ever get an interview with Joe Girardi's Binder, no? How are you today? We'll wait while you have to look it up. 

Girardi's Binder: Thanks so much for having me guys. I'm excited to be able to "turn the page" toward the 2014 season. So many new faces, so many stats.

TGP: Does Joe have a clever nickname for you? Like Ellsbury has Ellsy, etc. 

GB: You know, as much as he carries me around, Joe doesn't really have a nickname for me. I do, however, have a chapter full of Joe's nicknames. We've got one ready for Tanaka, but we won't spoil that just yet. So far we've added Canny, Tranny, Ellsy, Thorny, and Robby

TGP:  Did you come with Joe Girardi? Or did Joe just make you famous (or infamous, whichever you prefer)

GB: I came with Joe Girardi. Joe created me in Florida, and ownership didn't like me. No one knows, but I'm the reason Joe won Manager of the year in '06 but still got fired.

TGP: Can you confirm that Derek Jeter says "yeah Jeets" while making love or in his home alone?

GB: That I can't confirm, but gosh, I'd like to find out. If I hear him saying it in the shower in Tampa, I'll report back on that.

TGP: Vernon Wells or Ichiro Suzuki? Who would you have cut?

GB: We'll let you know if we made the right move. Wellsy had to go, even though my pages kept telling Joe to bat him fourth against lefties. I've already told EECHY to send Tanaka some text messages and snap chats with HIROK. Hoping they work.

TGP: What did Joe get you for Christmas?

GB: Joe got me some new dividers and a brand new plastic cover. I seem to get the same crap every year. If I accidentally spill on the way to Spring Training, you'll know why.

TGP: How upset are you about not being the #FaceoftheYankees on MLB Network? You had my vote.

GB: I've got to thank all of my fans for voting for me as the face of the Yankees. Most people don't realize that the bulk of Yankee I've got to thank all of my fans for voting for me as the face of the Yankees. Most people don't realize that the bulk of Yankee.

TGP:  Are you big on prospects or would you rather trade them all for the veteran "sure thing" types?

GB: I'd rather trade prospects for the sure thing. The Yankees need to win now so Joe stays in New York for a long time. Imagine being the first school supply ever immortalized in Monument Park! Rebuilding is for the birds.

"Still NO Chris, and NOW you know why!"

TGP: Why would you not play Chris Dickerson in 2011 and 2012? 

GB: Chris Dickerson once spilled water all over me during the summer of 2011. That was the end of him.

TGP: Tell us the truth, did Andruw Jones have naked pictures of Joe's wife? Or of Joe?

GB: JONESY had great splits against left-handers, just like WELLSY. Both were tremendous successes toward a Yankee championship. Wait...

TGP: Why would you not let Dellin Betances pitch last season?

GB: DELI has great stuff, but his fastball is so wild, he sometimes hits scouts in the stands, putting THEIR binders in danger. THOSE ARE MY COUSINS, MAN!

TGP:  Did you tell Joe to go out and defend Alex Rodriguez last season after being hit by Ryan Dempster?

GB: That was all Joe on that one. I was so proud of him. I thought he might pop a blood vessel. However, I do have a chapter that indicates the Yankees' OUTSTANDING record when Joe gets ejected from a game. And we won that one too.

TGP: Turn to page 47 in the binder, what does it say?

GB: Page 47 says that Boone Logan needs to pitch in 100 games this coming season. Unfortunately, he's in Colorado. So insert "Thornton" everywhere you see "Logan" and we're up-to-date.

TGP: What is your plan to navigate the Yankees bullpen this season?

GB: See above answer.

TGP:  What in the world are you going to do without Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, and Mariano Rivera to lean on this season?

GB: We're going to call up some old pals to help fill the gap this season: Wetteland, Nelson, Stanton, Quantrill, Proctor, and Sturtze. It's always best to go with guys who have experience. We haven't heard back yet from Pedro Feliciano's agent.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

GB: Bill Clinton. He keeps asking if I'm a binder full of women. I don't follow politics.

TGP: Can you hook us up with a Joe Girardi interview?

GB: I can try, but Joe's day usually consists of work-outs, work-outs, reading, and then more work-outs. Maybe when he's in between sets of push-ups I can get him on a phone call for you, but no promises.

TGP: Any embarrassing songs in your iPod?

GB: The soundtrack from "Lord of the Rings." See what I did there?

TGP: Have you been approached about a movie deal yet?

GB: No movie deal, but John Sterling and I are working on a Yankeeography as we speak. Once the Carl Pavano episode airs, I'm on!

TGP: We'll finish with this one, where do you see yourself in five years?

GB: If I retire this year, Cooperstown.

Perfect answer to finish a perfect interview...

We want to thank Joe Girardi for relinquishing his binder for a few minutes to do this interview and we want to thank the binder for finding the time to do this interview for us. You can follow Girardi's Binder on Twitter by following @BinderGirardi to see his always entertaining tweets. At least now we have a face and a voice behind all those first inning intentional walks, questionable pinch hitting moves, and all the wins and losses due to the binder. Also if I have to tell you that this is a spoof then I am not entirely sure I want you reading my material, I kid. Thank you for reading and thank you again to Girardi's Binder for taking the time and letting us have a sneak peek of the most important document in New York Yankees history.