Perhaps fans of other teams do this too, but I noticed a trend among all of my "Yankees fan buddies". They'll talk to me only when the Yankees are losing or when they are having a bad week. No one will ever come up to me and tell me that they saw the last game that they won and it was great. It's as if they expect the Yankees to always win, and when they don't it's time to gripe and complain like the team will never win another game again. For them, disaster looms not only after every single loss, but even in victories where the Yankees left runners stranded on base in scoring position, or a relief pitcher came in and gave up a run or two. "They can't do that against Boston" they'll say. Granted, although the do Yankees appear to be foundering (as of this writing they are eight games behind The Red Sox, and in third place in the AL East), and signing Roger Clemens may be too little help too late, there is no way these fan/friends of mine are going to be happy unless it is October and the Yankees just won the World Series.
Recently, which happened to be the morning after a Yankee victory, I encountered one of the guys I work with who is a regular participant in the Yankees discussions which take place where we work, and I asked that since the Yankees won against the Texas Rangers the night before, why didn't he come to me with a "happy report" on the previous night's game? He said: "Let's not get too excited. If they can win three against Boston, then I'll be happy. But this team doesn't look like it can handle either the White sox or the Mets, for that matter." He may be right, and I'm inclined to agree with him; but if the whole point of being a fan is to derive some sort of pleasure from a watching a game, then, using my baseball buddy’s yardstick for "fan enjoyment", the average Yankees fan get's no joy at all from any regular season game.
The whole Yankee's regular season is a setup for championship in October. At least that's the way the team's organization from George Steinbrenner on down sees it. This attitude has also trickled down to the fan base as well. No wonder A-Rod got booed so vociferously last year even though he put up good numbers. Nothing is too good for fans of this team. It's "Dynasty or Bust" every single summer.
Is this writer, a Yankee's fan, worried that this team does not have what it takes to make it to the post season? You bet I am. Yet, my love and appreciation for this sport, as painful as it may be, helps me to understand that there are twenty nine other teams in Major League Baseball, and that the Yankees can't win every year no matter how much money they spend toward that goal. Yes, I am worried about the team and their season. Yet, I am also worried about Yankee fans and their incessant griping. To paraphrase an over-used line from the cinema: "Spoiled is as spoiled does."
May 10, 2007
May 9, 2007
Doug Mientkiewicz: Yankee's Pick Me Up
One Yankee who is beginning to show more than a blip on the radar screen is Doug Mientkiewicz. Signed during the off-season in a platoon situation with (at the time) either Andy Philips or Josh Phelps, Mientkiewicz has been doing more lately than flashing impressive leather. He's been hitting and making remarkable plays. Tuesday night in the fifth inning, Doug dove for a ball hit by Gerald Laird of the Texas Rangers, and while on his knees, dove towards him for the tag. But when laird missed the first base bag, Mientkiewicz, while still on his knees scrambled and beat Laird to first base for the out. Watching the instant replay, one has to say "wow." That play is the definition of hustle.
The Yankees have been plagued with injuries, mostly to their starting rotation, this season, and now it seems that Jason Giambi may have to miss some games due to a bone spur in his foot. It's good timing that Mientkiewicz is swinging the bat much better these days because it will help pick up the team in Giambi's absence. It's not to suggest that Mientkiewicz is a hitter of Jason's caliber; but, having someone showing as much hustle as Doug Mientkiewicz has lately is exactly what the doctor ordered in this situation. In April, the pitching staff was unable to pick the team up after the spate of injuries which sidelined their starters. Let's hope the Mientkiewicz sets an example for others.
The Yankees have been plagued with injuries, mostly to their starting rotation, this season, and now it seems that Jason Giambi may have to miss some games due to a bone spur in his foot. It's good timing that Mientkiewicz is swinging the bat much better these days because it will help pick up the team in Giambi's absence. It's not to suggest that Mientkiewicz is a hitter of Jason's caliber; but, having someone showing as much hustle as Doug Mientkiewicz has lately is exactly what the doctor ordered in this situation. In April, the pitching staff was unable to pick the team up after the spate of injuries which sidelined their starters. Let's hope the Mientkiewicz sets an example for others.
May 8, 2007
Slow Mo Shouldn't Go
We'll never stop believing in Mariano Rivera. He's been almost un-hittable for so long that when he has bad outtings, such as Monday night's game against the Mariners when he gave up the go ahead run, in the form of a solo home run, in a game tied at 2 to Adrian Beltre, fans are shocked. Quoted in a report on the Yankees MLB website by Caleb Breakey, Don Mattingly said about Rivera: "We expect him to be perfect every time out," Mattingly said. "It's not always going to happen, but it's Mariano. You know he's going to do the job for you."
If you're like this writer who witnessed Beltre's home run against the "Sandman" Monday night, it felt like the wind was knocked out of you. The man is only human. Is his recent spate of melt downs due to age? Rivera is thirty eight years old. He's been dominant for so long in his career that people forget that someday, even the great Mariano Rivera may have to either change roles on the team or retire. What would the Yankees do without their hero closer? They'd lose big games in tight spots, that's what they'd do. Since there is no heir apparent in the farm system or anywhere else on the impending trade market to fill his big shoes, Yankee fans, and the Yankee organization as a whole have every reason to ponder whether or not Mariano has reached the end of his career.
It could be that Mariano is going through a rare stretch. Because he hasn't been used very often this season, his performance may be suffering because of it. A pitcher like Mariano needs to taken out for a spin every once in a while, like a finely tuned exotic sports car, to maintain performance. Mariano has a routine, and the bizarre nature of this Yankee's season has kept him on the bench way too often. In games where the Yankees hand the bullpen a lead after six or seven innings and they almost expectedly give it up, what's a closer to do?
This season, as the ninth inning approaches in a close game, the strains of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" will blare over the Yankee Stadium loudspeakers. Fans will cheer for their hero as he tosses his warm up pitches on the mound. Will he close the game? Will there be another upsetting ending like the one Monday night and others this season? Who knows about that? But, one thing is for certain, Mariano Rivera is a hero, a legend, and we shouldn't give up on him, yet.
If you're like this writer who witnessed Beltre's home run against the "Sandman" Monday night, it felt like the wind was knocked out of you. The man is only human. Is his recent spate of melt downs due to age? Rivera is thirty eight years old. He's been dominant for so long in his career that people forget that someday, even the great Mariano Rivera may have to either change roles on the team or retire. What would the Yankees do without their hero closer? They'd lose big games in tight spots, that's what they'd do. Since there is no heir apparent in the farm system or anywhere else on the impending trade market to fill his big shoes, Yankee fans, and the Yankee organization as a whole have every reason to ponder whether or not Mariano has reached the end of his career.
It could be that Mariano is going through a rare stretch. Because he hasn't been used very often this season, his performance may be suffering because of it. A pitcher like Mariano needs to taken out for a spin every once in a while, like a finely tuned exotic sports car, to maintain performance. Mariano has a routine, and the bizarre nature of this Yankee's season has kept him on the bench way too often. In games where the Yankees hand the bullpen a lead after six or seven innings and they almost expectedly give it up, what's a closer to do?
This season, as the ninth inning approaches in a close game, the strains of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" will blare over the Yankee Stadium loudspeakers. Fans will cheer for their hero as he tosses his warm up pitches on the mound. Will he close the game? Will there be another upsetting ending like the one Monday night and others this season? Who knows about that? But, one thing is for certain, Mariano Rivera is a hero, a legend, and we shouldn't give up on him, yet.
May 7, 2007
"The Rocket's Pin-Striped Glare"
Yankees fans around the globe are high-fiving each other and shouting "YES!" But, they aren't talking about the Yankee’s television network. They are all celebrating the return of Roger Clemens to the Bronx, and not a moment too soon. Though he most likely won't start again until the end of May, his presence both on the field and in the clubhouse, and all throughout the American League means one thing: the Yankees are contenders...again.
Forget the fact that they opened the bank vault for Clemens and made special concessions for him that they don't do for anyone else (he's free to go home between starts), the Yankees needed to do this, and it was the only move to make. If they lured The Rocket back to Yankee Stadium in the off season with his special condition of returning home between starts, one could raise an eyebrow, or complain about the Yankee’s payroll. But, this deal deserves special consideration. This team is currently 5 1/2 games behind Boston, and that gap could widen to an insurmountable gulf, even this early in the season. In spite of the terrific pitching the Yankees have received from the starters of late (we can erase Kei Igawa's last start from memory with the help of psycho-therapy) this team has a lot of catching up to do.
Bringing in Roger at this point in time was the equivalent of pulling the emergency brake on a runaway train. Who knows who else is going to pull a hamstring? Can the Yankees still rely on guys like Darrell Rasner, who pitched extremely well in his start against the Mariners on Sunday, shutting them down for 5 2/3 innings? Who else out there is a bit sweaty about Matt DeSalvo’s scheduled Monday night start against the Mariners?
There's no argument that plenty of hope was springing from the pitcher's mound both at Arlington and at Yankee Stadium this week. Young Phil Hughes pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter Tuesday night, and Chien-Ming Wang pitched a perfect game into the eighth inning. Both had terrific stuff and made Yankee fans very happy. But, there was still an under-current of doom in the Bronx. There was nothing to anchor the good feelings left over from both of those games and give the team and fans alike something to build on. There was no one, not even the mighty A-Rod or the captain, Derek Jeter, who loomed large enough over Boston's lead in the AL East to make the Yankee's ride to the World Series believable or possible. Only the seven time Cy Young Award winner and no-doubt, walk in Hall of famer himself carries such credentials.
Roger can demand, without explanation, excellence from everyone on the starting rotation. He can motivate the relievers to the point where they might not actually blow every lead the offense hands them. Roger can show the fans that there is still hope in this young season and that this team is hungry, tough, and made of championship caliber stuff.
It may be up to three weeks before Roger Clemens puts on pin stripes again, but with one stroke of the pen, one Major League signing, the Yankees and Roger have put this team, and this baseball town back on the right track for a World Series victory.
Forget the fact that they opened the bank vault for Clemens and made special concessions for him that they don't do for anyone else (he's free to go home between starts), the Yankees needed to do this, and it was the only move to make. If they lured The Rocket back to Yankee Stadium in the off season with his special condition of returning home between starts, one could raise an eyebrow, or complain about the Yankee’s payroll. But, this deal deserves special consideration. This team is currently 5 1/2 games behind Boston, and that gap could widen to an insurmountable gulf, even this early in the season. In spite of the terrific pitching the Yankees have received from the starters of late (we can erase Kei Igawa's last start from memory with the help of psycho-therapy) this team has a lot of catching up to do.
Bringing in Roger at this point in time was the equivalent of pulling the emergency brake on a runaway train. Who knows who else is going to pull a hamstring? Can the Yankees still rely on guys like Darrell Rasner, who pitched extremely well in his start against the Mariners on Sunday, shutting them down for 5 2/3 innings? Who else out there is a bit sweaty about Matt DeSalvo’s scheduled Monday night start against the Mariners?
There's no argument that plenty of hope was springing from the pitcher's mound both at Arlington and at Yankee Stadium this week. Young Phil Hughes pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter Tuesday night, and Chien-Ming Wang pitched a perfect game into the eighth inning. Both had terrific stuff and made Yankee fans very happy. But, there was still an under-current of doom in the Bronx. There was nothing to anchor the good feelings left over from both of those games and give the team and fans alike something to build on. There was no one, not even the mighty A-Rod or the captain, Derek Jeter, who loomed large enough over Boston's lead in the AL East to make the Yankee's ride to the World Series believable or possible. Only the seven time Cy Young Award winner and no-doubt, walk in Hall of famer himself carries such credentials.
Roger can demand, without explanation, excellence from everyone on the starting rotation. He can motivate the relievers to the point where they might not actually blow every lead the offense hands them. Roger can show the fans that there is still hope in this young season and that this team is hungry, tough, and made of championship caliber stuff.
It may be up to three weeks before Roger Clemens puts on pin stripes again, but with one stroke of the pen, one Major League signing, the Yankees and Roger have put this team, and this baseball town back on the right track for a World Series victory.
May 3, 2007
Do The Yankees Need Clemens?
A lot can happen in a month. Players who were hitting the month before can go into deep slumps, pitchers who were effective and able to record outs suddenly become very hittable. So, if it can happen to a player, then whole teams can either begin to win games, or begin to slump. Considering the Yankees awful start in April due mostly to injuries to their starting rotation, things can only get better.
Mike Mussina is back from the DL, as is Chien-Ming Wang. With Andy Pettitte, Mussina, and Wang at the top of the rotation (not necessarily in that order), and with Kei Igawa maybe pitching fourth, the Yankees should survive with a mix and match of rookies and call-ups taking turns in the number five spot. One of them may even perform well enough to earn a permanent spot in the rotation. Phil Hughes was well on his way to doing just that until he pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter for 6 1/3 innings in the Yankees' 10-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. Speaking of injuries, who knows, but maybe even Carl Pavano will come off the DL to pitch a game or two?
But Roger Clemens? Do the Yankees really need him? This writer thinks so. The Red sox aren't going to fall into third place like they did last year, injuries or not. The Blue jays are a better team, and even the Devil Rays play the Yankees tough. Forget complaining about money and special considerations as part of a potential deal to sign The Rocket. A man like Clemens deserves special treatment if he comes to a team because he can be a real difference maker.
This writer does not doubt that Brian Cashman has been speed dialing Clemens' Agents, the Hendricks brothers, for weeks now. But after George Steinbrenner’s last public statement about the state of the Yankees, I'm sure the Yankees will do whatever Roger wants and pay him whatever his agents have the nerve to ask for. You only want to play home games, Roger? Sure, we'll make that happen. You want twenty five million dollars for a half a season worth of work? Gulp, yeah, we'll make that deal. We'll even give you another brand new Hummer like the one we gave you when you retired three years ago.
The Yankees will do all of that and more so that they can save their season, win the World Series, please George Steinbrenner, save Torre's and Cashman's jobs, keep him away from the Red Sox at all costs, and oh yes, win one for the fans. Come back Roger, now, please.
Mike Mussina is back from the DL, as is Chien-Ming Wang. With Andy Pettitte, Mussina, and Wang at the top of the rotation (not necessarily in that order), and with Kei Igawa maybe pitching fourth, the Yankees should survive with a mix and match of rookies and call-ups taking turns in the number five spot. One of them may even perform well enough to earn a permanent spot in the rotation. Phil Hughes was well on his way to doing just that until he pulled a hamstring while throwing a no-hitter for 6 1/3 innings in the Yankees' 10-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. Speaking of injuries, who knows, but maybe even Carl Pavano will come off the DL to pitch a game or two?
But Roger Clemens? Do the Yankees really need him? This writer thinks so. The Red sox aren't going to fall into third place like they did last year, injuries or not. The Blue jays are a better team, and even the Devil Rays play the Yankees tough. Forget complaining about money and special considerations as part of a potential deal to sign The Rocket. A man like Clemens deserves special treatment if he comes to a team because he can be a real difference maker.
This writer does not doubt that Brian Cashman has been speed dialing Clemens' Agents, the Hendricks brothers, for weeks now. But after George Steinbrenner’s last public statement about the state of the Yankees, I'm sure the Yankees will do whatever Roger wants and pay him whatever his agents have the nerve to ask for. You only want to play home games, Roger? Sure, we'll make that happen. You want twenty five million dollars for a half a season worth of work? Gulp, yeah, we'll make that deal. We'll even give you another brand new Hummer like the one we gave you when you retired three years ago.
The Yankees will do all of that and more so that they can save their season, win the World Series, please George Steinbrenner, save Torre's and Cashman's jobs, keep him away from the Red Sox at all costs, and oh yes, win one for the fans. Come back Roger, now, please.
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