Saved the Season?

The Yankees got a walk off win against the Red Sox today thanks to “Stache.”  Did you expect anything different In the last game between the Red Sox and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium?  The Yankees conjured up the spirit of Babe Ruth to help them stay six games behind the Sox in the Wild Card.  Closest Ruth look a like, Jason GIambi put on a show after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning.   Two pitches into the at-bat, he homered to dead center and tied the game up at two all.  In the ninth inning, he then singled off Papelbon to score the winning run.  Someone surely needed to step up and Giambi put the rest of the team on his back.  Kudos to the “Stache.”

Mussina looked sharp as he kept his team in the game despite a blown call in the field by the base umpires.  I wish the team could hit for him as I would love to see him reach 20 wins for the first time in his career.  But that may be asking too much.  Another stellar day by ARod; he k’d three times.  More deserving boos.  He actually got upset as he was banging his bat against the bat rack.  Maybe that’s a good thing.  Jeter had his usual game with three hits.

One thing I noticed was Brett Gardner.  He is probably faster than Ellsbury.  He had a key stolen base in the ninth inning as a pinch runner.  That was really counteracted by the Sox by walking Matsui…great idea.  Gardner really is a game changer.  One minute he is on first and the next minute he touches home plate.  It’s a shame we don’t have room for him in the outfield right now.

Enjoy the win as the real challenge is about to start.  If the Yanks can get to 2-3 games behind the Wild Card leader (likely Red Sox) with three to play, they might have a shot as they end the season at Fenway Park.

Pavano Placed on Waivers

Will anybody be stupid enough to claim him?  Surely one team will take a flyer on him after his performance last Saturday night.  Right?  If the Yankees can absorb most of the $3.78 million left on his contract maybe a deal can be struck.  We have given that S.O.B. enough money already, what’s another $2.5 million at least.  The Mets are listed as a team that could possible be interested.  I say ship him out.  We need to get something back for him.  A box of sunflower seeds (Original or Ranch will do) would be enough. 

Anybody ever really listen to him talk?  Yeah, just don’t like his attitude.  He talks as if everyone owes him something and as if he is better than everybody else.  Hit the road.  It’s best for all parties involved.  Take the prospect and move on.  He can be someone else’s problem.  I never realized I had so much hatred for him until this very second.

“It’s Not the End of the World”

Those are the words echoed by Manager Joe Girardi after the debacle of a game last night.  Ok, he may be right.  But is there any sense of emergency at all?  Sure they have 30 or so games left and ANYTHING can happen.  We saw that last year with the Yankees and in particular the Mets.  But as a fan you have to admit that the Red Sox are playing better ball right now and essentially are a better team.  They capitalize with men on base and put the pressure on when the situation allows them to.  The Yankees simply don’t do that.  They have had injuries all year and have underperformed mightily.  They can’t make the playoffs that way.  In fact, it’s almost impossible. 

What I don’t understand is why do they keep throwing Ponson out there?  Granted he wasn’t horrible last night, but sure didn’t do his job.  And it makes me sick when the Red Sox get Byrd…a better pitcher than Ponson, and he shuts down the Yanks for six innings.  The Yankees could have put a claim in on him ya know.  I’m just rambling now. 

Hank Steinbrenner said that things will certainly change in the off-season.  As they should be.  The Yanks sure could use the help.  Sabathia, Sheets, Burnett, Texiera?  The last best free agent signing we made was Hideki Matsui.  That was a long time ago.       

Throwing A-Rod and Pettitte Under the Bus…

The Yankees couldn’t capitalize last night against the Red Sox and lost another game in the Wild Card standings.  It was an ugly night all around for the Yankees as they had one lead all night.  Damon, Jeter, and Abreu all did their parts with two hits a piece.  Arod K’d twice, GIDP twice, and went a combined 0-5.  Did I mention he made an error?  Just a horrible night and he deserved each and every boo.  I am not that type of person, but if I was at the game, I just might have joined in.  At least he didn’t make any excuses.  If it was Kennedy, he would have said, ” I think I had some good swings tonight and the ball just didn’t get out of the infield.  What can you do?  We didn’t need this game, we need the next two.”  I completely forgot to mention ARod’s seven LOB.  Nice job. 

Pettitte is not going to come away unscathed either.  10 hits, six earned, three walks in less than five innings?  Recipe for disaster.  News flash: that isn’t, “Pitching in the New Yankee Stadium worthy.”  I could drop a HGH reference right here, but I think you get the point.  I could have sworn Ponson took the mound last night.  With the lineup that the Red Sox rolled out last night, things should have been different.  Batters six through nine went a combined 8-19 with a walk.  Uncalled for.           

Back to the drawing board as panic is starting to overcome all fans including myself.  Please save all receipts in October as the Yankees will fully reimburse all fans for their excursions that they will embark on to ease their mind.  At least I think they should be held accountable for all of our actions.

Things I would like to see during this series…

Since I cannot wait until the game tonight…so in order to pass the time, there is nothing more fun (or there is) than making a checklist for the Yankees.  These are things the Yankees must execute well in order to sweep the Red Sox and inch closer to a playoff spot. 

1.  Hit the damn ball!!!  You think that may be obvious but you haven’t been watching the games that I have been watching.  They are on pace to score 200 less runs this year than last year.  Also, they are facing the Red Sox’s three worst pitchers.  Let’s do some damage then.  The only pitcher that is half way decent is Lester and he can be hit hard sometimes.  And please no more double plays during a rally…I think that is solely responsible for my thinning hair line.   

2.  Please take a walk…PLEASE.  Lately, they have been fairly good at this but fairly good is just not enough for them.  Enough of the first pitch swings; that’s really getting old.  Why would you not want to walk?  You win ballgames by getting on base.  Obvious again, but the Yankees don’t seem to think that’s quite important this year.  They are ninth in the AL in walks, when they should be in the top two at least.  They were third last year and have about 200 less walks today then they had last year.  And they only have 32 games left. 

3.  No more base running blunders (you too Bobby Meacham).  How many times have they run themselves out of an inning?  You are professionals, play the game the right way.  You all have played before.  It’s surprising how many players still don’t know how to run the bases or know what to do in a specific situation.  I blame Bobby M. for all their outs at home plate.  He better enjoy the last 32 games as he will be out of job by then. 

4.  We want to see intensity!  That’s why I am looking forward to seeing our September call ups, granted they probably won’t see much time in a playoff race, but they will bring new life to dugout.  It doesn’t look like the Yanks are having any fun anymore.  Where’s Shelly D.?  Yeah he’s not that good, but he sure shows a lot of emotion.  It’s the last time the Red Sox will play at Yankee Stadium…make it worth our while.   

5.  Keep the Sawx off base.  Easier said then done, but you know as well as I do that they can string three to four hits in a row and the Yanks could easily be down by four.  Let’s get the first out and go from there.  Drew is hurt and no more Manny being Manny, let’s take advantage then.  Also, the Yankees need to play superior defense.  Tap the glove Damon. 

6.  Pick up Ponson.  We need to hit for Ponson because we can’t be down by six after three innings.  He needs run support and a lot of it.  Seriously, we don’t have anyone else to pitch this game? 

7.  Starters need to go deep.  Another obvious but with only two days off the rest of the season, our bullpen needs to rest as much as possible.  Yet again, the September call ups won’t factor in that much in a playoff race…at least in my opinion.   

That’s all I got for now.

Bring On the Sawx!

After a successful three days in Baltimore, where Pavano won a game (has to be a mistype) and the Yankees bats finally woke up, they will now take on their nemesis in a pivotal series.  Yankees are five games back of the Red Sox for the Wild Card spot.  It would be great if we can sweep, but we need to take at least two out of three.  If they lose two than they can kiss the season goodbye.  Luckily, Beckett is sidelined and the Yanks will face Byrd, Lester, and Wakefield.  The bad news is that Ponson will get another start.  UHG.  How bad do the Yankees need an effective Hughes and Kennedy?  Memo to them: Pitch like you have never pitched before…Pavano clones.

Does Pavano Deserve to Start if Healthy?

By now all Yankee fans have heard that Carl Pavano will finally make a start. I really can’t decide if this a good thing for them right now or not.

I realize that the Yanks are running out of options for the rotation and I’m sure it pains them to throw Ponson out there every fifth day when essentially they need to win almost every game. Is this a cry for help or do they want to get something out of Pavano, regardless if he gets pounded or not? The Yanks do need all the help they can get, but has Pavano earned a promotion? I may hold a grudge against him, but he doesn’t step on the mound for my team if I had something to say about. He is a free agent come winter and I feel this is an audition for him so that he can steal another team’s money.  Surely a team will take a chance on him. Just watch him make 25 plus starts for that team…I dare him.

Maybe the Yanks feel like him pitching at all is better than nothing and not a wasted investment…well it is and it will always be a bad investment. At least Mike Hampton and Barry Zito got him beat. But at least Zito pitches. If Pavano does pitch well, does he deserve an applause by us? He deserves an applause if makes it through six innings without getting hurt. Like I said, I might be bitter. We’ll have to wait and see. Break a leg.

Embarrassing

Someone needs to say or do something to turn this around quickly…anybody…Jeter, Girardi, ARod, Ponson…wait he can’t do anything right.  Whatever they are doing now is clearly not working.   The Yanks are really wasting everyone’s time and it is just sickening to watch.  I turned the game off in the 4th inning…a rarity even for me.

Olympic Thoughts

Does anyone else find the Olympics just fascinating to watch? Every four years the best athletes from all over the world showcase their talent and country pride. I’ll watch just about any event except a few in which I will surely touch upon in just a moment. I was fortunate enough to hold a gold medal from the 2000 Team USA baseball squad and I have been in awe ever since.

Michael Phelps captivated the world by winning eight gold medals in eight swim races. He broke Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics and now has more gold medals than any other American athlete before him. Unfreakinbelievable. He not only dominated the competition, but he set world records in at least six races. The man is just built for swimming. He is long, lanky, and flexible. Good for him as he deserves it with how hard he has worked. He belongs in the same breath as Jordan, Woods, and Federer (in his prime).

Other events I like to watch include handball, volleyball, gymnastics (you try and do it), badminton, and ping pong. I really think I can play handball. For those that haven’t witnessed this event, it’s kinda like basketball meets soccer, except you throw the ball instead of kick it. I really missed the boat on that one.

USA’s baseball squad is comprised of minor-leaguers and one college player. Considering every other nation are using their best ballplayers, the U.S. should be thrilled they are even in the medal round. What bothers me is that in 2012, baseball will not be in the Olympics. How can baseball not be and Men’s (yes, men’s) field hockey, speedwalking, and kayaking be considered worthy of Olympic competition. The IOC really butchered that one up. And while I am talking about the IOC, what’s with the new extra innings rule? At the start of the 11th inning-no out, two on, and your best hitter up…Play Ball! Just ridiculous. It’s not even baseball anymore. They ruined the game.

The U.S. is dominating as they should be but China has some great athletes and they are fun to watch. Ever since they found out that Beijing would host the 2008 Olympics, they really started training hard. The opening ceremony was also something everyone should have witnessed. To have that many people in unison just boggles the mind. I don’t care if the cute Chinese girl wasn’t even singing. I don’t think any other city could ever duplicate such a performance. Kudos to China.

Holy Pavano!

My season has officially ended and now I can’t focus all of my attention of the Yankees.  There has been lots of ups and downs since my last post…mostly downs.  But we can’t give up on them just yet now can we?  It has been brought to my attention that Carl (this is the easiest job in the world…who cares if everyone hates me) Pavano will be taking the mound for the Yankees as they take on the Orioles.  Which brings me to another point-why are most of the Yankees and Orioles games blacked out on the MLB Extra Innings package?  I pay good money to watch them and do like to see every game.

Anyways, the Yankees are kind of out of options and right now and Pavano seems like the best choice, ugh.  Hughes is on the cusp but he still needs some fine tuning and innings under his belt.  Kennedy just seems like he quits when he pitches in the big show and I think nobody wants to witness another shelling.  The Yankees have also signed some free agents…Victor Zambrano for one.  Just don’t want to see him pitch in a big game.   Also, the Yankees have no viable minor league options at the moment.  Joba is still rehabbing and probably will be available come September at some point.  I’m sure I am not the only one who flinches every time Ponson and Rasner throw a ball.

The Rays don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, even with the injuries.  And the Red Sox…well you know.  We are going to have to leap frog one of them to clinch a playoff berth as it is an uphill battle from here.