I’m serving on the Bronx Grand Jury for the month of May. Four days a week. We had our second day of cases today. There are stretches of boredom, wasted time, and then a flurry of action. The final three cases were so brutally sobering and so emotionally unsettling that big news about Manny Ramirez instantly seemed trivial by comparison. I got the news on my blackberrry earlier in the day, in an e-mail from D Firstman and had the pleasure of breaking it to court room officers, jury members, and security guards. That was much fun.
“Let’s see if people stop picking on A Rod now,” said a man into his phone during his lunch break on the street outside of the courthouse.
It is a big deal of course. This is All the King’s Men Must Fall, that’s what this is. Selig and Fehr are the Kings. Bonds, Clemens and now A Rod and Manny. They’re just the creme de la creme of a grim role call that will be ongoing…It took fifty years for it to come out that the Giants were stealing signals at the Polo Grounds in 1950. We’ll be seeing guys being outed for the rest of our lives.
Meanwhile, I need to unwind. It’s been a long one.
But I’ve got my two great cats, the sun is out, and my wife is on her way home. Life is good.
A Yankee win tonight would be much appreciated.
Until then, chew on this cheese:
Let’s Go Yan-Kees!
Man, I had Grand Jury Duty a few summers ago. What a drag. The good news is you're off the hook for about 6 years until they come beggin' for civic duty again.
Essactly. It is kind of interesting too. But pretty heavy at times as well.
Rookie backup infielder Paul Janish did a Nick Swisher last night. With the Reds running out of pitchers, they asked him to pitch the ninth. They actually used signs, unlike with Swish. He threw 35 pitches, and was sitting at about 90 mph (compared to Swish's 75mph fastballs). He gave up five hits and five runs, and now has a 45 ERA. (And a very sore arm, I would guess. 35 pitches is a lot for someone who's not a pitcher.)
Needless to say, the Reds, who had the best ERA in MLB yesterday, no longer do.
crap ... i should just start drinking now
Well, that didn't take long...
I had Federal GJ Duty a while back.
Once a week for 6 months.
Got $50 per diem and mileage AND got paid for missing regular work.
Good Lord, is Jamie Moyer really still pitching? God bless him.
Dude is 46.
Well, this is getting ugly.
Why?
I'm half furious, half despairing and half bemused. And then on the other hand I'm just half numb.
I mean, there are no words for this horse shit.
It occurs to me that this is a dysfunctional team. And it shouldn't be. Maybe it can't be fixed, but the first thing I'd try is getting rid of the manager. No offense to him, something just needs to be done. Again, it may or may not help but at some point you have to try something.
Lotta empty seats.
Is everyone else excited for the Yankees game during the day and then you sit down and after five minutes you're not sure what to do with your evening anymore?
And there goes the idea that "just when the pitching comes around, the offense falters" ...
christ ... bad sign when you go to take a shower and come back to find the opposing team STILL hitting.
just what we needed, a Bad Andy sighting ...
[13] You have to have a little more patience. That can't help the overall vibe. Yes I said overall, like the whole damn town!
[13] you just described my 5 most recent evenings...
alright tex, time to get it right.
[16] That's probably true.
But it isn't stopping me from howling at the screen.
just another inning of horseshit Yankees baseball
Andy doing better, at least.
Wow, first lauding a losing pitcher ... now the YES guys are making a big deal about how many pitches Swisher sees. How many full counts he's seen. I mean, it's a good thing but ...
Bottom of the lineup stepping up!
well, at least we're gonna clear all the pitchers' spots ...
Man, I like Ramiro Pena in 2012.
yup.
why can´t Molina just take his K and move on... no, he has to "hit" a terrible pitch and bail out a struggling pitcher.
I think it's pretty clear that this team is pressing. They went through the same thing last season and nothing has changed. Throw in a manager who refuses to emply any strategy and no one should be surprised by the stagnation. If Arod doesn't quickly spark this team, Girardi should be out the door. The longer this team waits to face its reality, the greater the chance another season will go to waste.
damn, crawford's fast ... he was coasting into 1st ...
oh goody.
oh well, screw it, there are wasp nests i could be poking with sticks
traffic i could be dodging.
g'nite all, see ya tomorrow for Alex's return.
Nice...13-15, but still 13-10 against everyone but Boston and 11-7 against everyone but Boston and TB.
You know, I like Ramiro Pena. He's not gonna be a slugging or RBI machine, but I think he'll be a good player.
Btw I think they need to fire the coach. Did I mention that?
its very simple, the other AL East teams are hitting with RISP and the yanks, for some reason, are not. This was exactly the problem with the '08 yankees
Girardi isn't going to get fired because the Steinbrothers don't want to look like they made a mistake letting Torre go when the real mistake was the hire of Girardi. As a result, they'll probably wait until it is too late.
[33] That usually comes from pressing, and pressing is often a function of the atmosphere around the team. If the manager isn't accountable for that atmosphere, then I don't know who is.
[31] Things change, dude. Arguments from three games ago make easy targets, but beyond that I don't see the point.
Neimann is all over the place...why not try a double steal? Do something to take pressure off your struggling star? We saw Maddon do something to add pressure in the 1st. That's the difference between having a proactive manager and not having one.
[34] [35] Agreed. What can be done to change that atmosphere?
[36] The point is you can't parse performance...the total tells you the story, not that parts. Everyone seems to be looking for excuses why the team is playing badly, but the focus should be on that it is (as well as how to make it stop).
tex looks awful. at least he was walking a week ago, now, not even that.
[38] Change the manager or make a big move. If Alex doesn't do it ASAP this weekend, then I'd get rid of Girardi.
He should take them to play pool again. It worked in ST where they won 11 games in a row, right?
Absolutely awful, awful AB by Matsui. He was trying to go into the seats instead of advancing the rally.
Popular move: Fire the stadium and replace it with Willie Randolph.
[42] Or do other things to help the team, like squeeze with Pena on Tuesday, leave Mo in for one more inning on Wednesday, put his runners in motion today, etc.
Instead, he sits by and watches the team struggle.
I don't understand why they can't hit this guy. at least on TV they all seem like BP fastballs.
[46] He's been awful this game. It's the same reason why they couldn't hit Sonnenstine yesterday and the career minor leaguer on Saturday. I firmly believe the Yankee environment is poisonous.
Man... Girardi just can't hit with RISP.
Wow, just painful to watch... the failure to execute is unbelievable.
they've had at least a runner on 2nd base with 1 out in the first three innings and have failed to bring him in.
Can we at least let Cervelli play until he proves that he can't?
[48] You're right...when two different rosters of accomplished players continue to struggle in the same fashion over two seasons, it can't possible be the manager. And when a team is struggling to score, the manager should never be proactive and try to help them out. Girardi has no impact on the game and should not be held accountable. Man, I wish I collect $3mn for that kind of responsibility.
[48] Do you think intangibles matter in sports?
[39] Of course you can parse performance. You can't deny the record but at times there are circumstances that ought to be parsed. Sometimes parsing performance makes tons of sense. For instance, when you have a very good record except against one team, and that one team accounts for a large proportion of your losses, that's noteworthy. It's a very specific situation that bears scrutiny. Turning it into a straw man argument like you do misses the point, which isn't to defend the Yankees against criticism of their record or their play but to observe that they apparently have an issue with the Red Sox. That was a legit argument a few days ago, maybe not so much now, though I'd argue they were put into this state by the depressing two game series vs the Sox. (As were most of the people posting here.)
[52] It's more than intangibles. Look at what Maddon did in the first. He knew Teixeira has been under pressure, especially after last night. So, when a similar position presented itself off the bat, Maddon forced the issue with the infield in, basically telling Tex he wasn't gettin an easy RBI. I absolutely believe that impacted the AB. Does Girardi do anything to alleviate his team's stress? Instead, he sits in the dugout and watches things spiral. That's what happened last year and that's what's happening this year. I have no idea why the Yankees seem content with the statu quo.
Situational hitting should be a part of the training program, someone is in charge of it. As far as I know, the manager and the hitting coach are the same from last year and I saw almost all yankee games last year and they had exactly the same problem.
something has to change.
Seriously, who would people want to replace Girardi?
I guess Bobby Valentine?
[53] I don't think they have an issue with the Red Sox...I think they have an issue with playing consistently well and winning tight ball games, which I also think highlights a deficiency with the manager. Removing the Red Sox games masks the problem, which as we can see, has not abated with their exit.
[54] I don't disagree. But because Old Yankee Fan appears to believe that Girardi and Cashman are beyond criticism, I was trying to start a debate on a very basic level.
[56] Valentine or Showalter would be fine with me. Those are the kinds of managers who can pull out a win that alleviates the stress the team is feeling now. If Pena squeezes, for example, the Yankees may be on a three game winning streak.
[56] I don't have enough baseball knowledge to answer that, but a change is needed, be it the coaches, the training program, anything. you can't just wait out a problem that has been there 1 season already and looks like it might come in this season.
Melky is at his best when he is patient at the plate.
[59] What was the Showalter/A-Rod relationship? I thought bad like everyone who worked with A-Rod.
[62] I just heard an interview with him last week and he said they had a good relationship, at least according to him.
[62] Some people said the same thing about A-Rod and Teix, but that appears to be untrue. Buck defended Alex against the pitch tipping smear.
[57] Well, maybe it hasn't abated with their exit or - as I just said - maybe the Red Sox are why the Yankees are wound so tight.
The Red Sox are obviously in the Yankees' heads. It's been plain since two Saturdays ago. The problem now is the team is spooked. Because the offense was not pressing until the last couple days, which happily coincided with the Red Sox coming and beating them again.
I don't think I've ever seen a puitcher thow this badly and not give up any runs.
[65] If the Red Sox are the reason the Yankees are playing poorly now then that's an even better reason to fire Girardi.
another runner on 2nd with 1 out...
Holy Booty-injection Batman! Just logged on and saw the Manny news..wow..lots to catch up on this rainy friday morning..
No comment on the 4-0 game going on now..at least my beloved Yakult Swallows won a 2-1 squeaker last night.
Ramiro for starting SS 2010!
Bring in Showalter. As I said way upthread, the team is more dysfunctional than it has any right to be without A Rod around. The atmosphere needs to change. I really think Mattingly would be best but do what you can.
any bets on what happens here?
[67] That's what I've been saying.
[70] Seconded! Hell why not?
... Oops ... Oh yeah ...
Holy................
[72] I wouldn't have bet on that.
Molina makes himself useful.
Incredible.
[76] or on jeter's line-out. bad luck there
Please don't tease me.
Quiety, Jeter is struggling again. The Yankees need him to get going.
Damon deserves that contract next year... Probably with some other team.
Damon's glove may suck these days, but his stick is still good.
If Teixeira makes another out, he may actualyl look forward to his Baltimore return.
[82] The Yankees will need a DH next year; Damon could be a candidate.
No one needs Alex more than Teix.
poor tex
[85] How many games can Posada's body hold up at C? He will probably have to DH at least 50 games, maybe more.
Maybe Teixeira's struggles will give everyone a little more insight into what Arod has had to handle (and make his two MVPs all the more impressive).
[88] That means you need a DH for 110 games. Damon can also fill in at LF as needed. I don't think he should automatically be dismissed, although if the Yankees do fall out of it again, Damon could be the one player other teams find attractive.
That wasn't bad by Jeter. Just hit it to the wrong spot, but he hit it well.
Teixeira on the other hand is supremely fucking up this offense. He is a walking rally-killer.
[71] Put in Mattingly?
While I love Mattingly to death, there are a couple problems.
1) He probably wouldn't take it halfway through the year.
2) Isn't he kind of pissed at the Steinbrenner boys?
but most importantly:
3) If we need to change the attitude of players around here, putting in another chip off the Torre block isn't going to do that.
I think Bobby V would get a lot more animated and emotional with this team and it's apathy.
[91] It wasn't bad, but he is struggling.
Teixeira has definitely hurt this team. He seems to come up in every big rally.
[92] I don't think the first two points are accurate, but the third would concern me too. The Yankees need a tactician...someone who is a clean break from the latter Torre years.
I don't think Girardi is poisoning the minds of the batters to make them suck with RISP, not do I think he has voodoo-dolled the bullpen. However, here's a quick non-baseball related story. The Pittsburgh Penguins went to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. This year under the same coach with the same players, they were a middling 27-25-5 team and point out of the final playoff spot. They fired the coach and proceded to go 17-4-4 to finish out the season in fourth place, Everything the same except the coach. They are currently in the 2nd round of the playoffs. My point is...well. no one here gives a shit about hockey except me. : )
[95] For me, if the manager is not making a difference, then a team shouldn't be afraid to make a change for change sake. Does Girardi manage the game well? No. Are the players fiercely loyal to him? Doesn't seem so. Does he project a calm demeanor? I don't think so. Does he have a long track record of success? No.
At some point, you just make a change to light a fire. The NY Rangers did the same thing (even though Torts imploded in the playoffs).
[93] He definitely comes up in every big rally...because he's batting cleanup. Which hasn't changed no matter how low his Avg has dropped.
[95] And the Rangers. although still mediocre, were a different team with Tortorella instead of Renney.
If you can't change all the players, fair or not, changing the manager (or coach) is the way to go.
Err. batting 3rd I mean. My mistake
[97] He is batting 3rd, but may move to cleanup after Arod's return.
Speaking of the NY Rangers...
Matsui says to williamnyy23: I want to be considered for DH next year!
Notice the empty front row and the cop...I guess that's the Yankees way to prevent more stolen HRs.
[102] He is worthy of consideration too IF he can play a full healthy season.
Over the last two games, Swisher's AB have been poor. I wonder if he is still feeling the effects of that beaning.
I hope Melky keeps this up...he's making me feel like a proud papa.
Did David Cone just use the words Juan Pierre and Manny Ramirez in the same sentence?
[96] I hear ya', but the fact that Showalter and Valentine have been suggested befuddles me. Seriously? When I think of Buck I think "micromanager" and as for Valentine. The whole big nose and glasses thing. Bad taste in the ol' mouth.
Oh crap...Molina might be hurt too. The sad thing is there is no PH.
Pinch-hitting for Molina?
holy crap, shit sox score TWELVE runs before recording an out. christ.
at least we tied the game...
[108] I think both are supremely prepared and expertly manage a game. They may not provide a Torre calm, but they can make up for that in other ways. Not to keep harmping on the same point, but I really think both of those guys squeeze with Pena the other night, and if that games becomes a win, I think the pressure of the last two games would have been alleviated.
[109] How did the Molina injury happen? I missed it.
But for Buck (and Stick) Torre would never have been handed the keys to a team that could go an extended run.
Hey Hey Matsui, that's the way!
[111] What's up man?? Been digging some Jackie McLean these days..helps numb the pain of being a .500 team this year..
Thanks to whoever linked the Murray Chass article earlier, he really socked it to Selena Roberts and her reporting.
funny how they slapped the cop in the butt two times before he turned around and said that's enough...
Cleveland is in the same boat as the Yankees, but on a larger scale. For the second straight season, the Indians have stumbled out of the gate. When do they decide to make a change?
Uh, boy. Give Paul Bako a call.
[113] Looks like a pulled hamstring when he scored.
[113] Happened while running; pulled up a bit lame after he scored.
[92] I said bring in Showalter. I think Mattingly is a better fit, but obviously he can't come here now. Hence ... Showalter.
[118] I'd call Omar and see if Castro is available.
I'm not sure that Mattingly wouldn't take the job now if it was offered.
Oh and [92] The team doesn't need emotion and passion from its skipper. It needs a steady calm hand. Though he tries to play it cool, Girardi is wound as tight as a drum.
[123] If his family situation is right, I think he would jump at it.
Come on Andy!!! Damn it.
Thanks, Andy.
[115] i'm a big Jackie fan! all i need is One Step Beyond. it's got the mastering issue and i'm waiting to see if BN will fix it and re-release it.
picked up an AMAZING Mingus live at Cornell University. BN just found the tapes and released it in 2007. it's got Dolphy on it! 2cd set and it's freaking BRILLIANT! got it new for 9 bucks! : )
ben zobrist? really?! i fucking hate this team. the yankees, i mean... : /
[122] good thinkin'! per usual... : )
[128] Awesome stuff..man, I would love to raid your music library!
Yanks making me nauseous..who the fuck is Ben Zobrist and why is he going yard on Andy P?!?!?!
Sheesh, there's been a lot of doom and gloom 'round these parts lately. Where's eome good old fashioned Yankee optimism? I just can't feel gloomy on May 7th.
[0] Alex, I've always wanted to serve on a grand jury, so I envy you (well, a little). Enjoy the civics lesson. Some of the biggest shocks of my life were seeing, as a young lawyer, just how little of a role justice played in the justice system. Interesting but kinda sad at the same time.
[131] I don't think it's Doom and Gloom as much as recognizing a problem. I think this Yankee team, even with the injuries, has the talent to win 95 games. I don't think they are anywhere near as likely to do that with Girardi.
Geez, Andy. Two outs and everything.
This team is officially firing on no cylinders. Or the cylinders are firing at each other. The pitching and hitting are trying to ruin each other's lives.
No more runs!
[133] This feels like 2008 Andy now.
I'm starting to revel in the miserable rut this team is in. Bring it on!
[129] yeah man, i've got the other 19 solo Jackie McLean discs on Blue Note! plus, numerous ones where he's a sideguy. i like his Tippin' At Scales disc for hardbop stuff and Cool Struttin' by Sonny Clark. Sonny's on ...Scales, too...
we best win this frickin' game...
This week's games have all followed the same pattern: fall behind 3-0, 4-0, chip away but squander opportunities, bullpen gives up some runs, Yankees lose.
They have to win one before they go on a roll. Tonight is as good a time as any to get that started.
The last Yankee lead was in the 5th inning on SATURDAY!
[137] I know the Sonny Clark of course, classic. Went to a GREAT gig the other night here, check out the site for the details. Jazz/world fusion, you would of liked it.
Much more fun than watching another loss on the mlb.com Archive that's for sure..
I'd start Cervelli over Cash.
Damn I miss Molina.
I passed out; What the fuck happened?
[144] Think the last three days...Yankees fell behind 4-0...tied it 4-4 (although should have scored more)...and then promptly gave the lead back.
What the hell could Jeter have possibly, possibly been waiting for there?
[144] you're lucky!
johnny b. goode!
[144] Sometimes I wonder if Girardi wakes up in cold sweat and utters that same phrase.
This team is in really bad shape.
Molina played an inning after he hurt his hammy or whatever. Hopefully that means it's not that bad?
Though I think they still need to get another catcher, even if Molina's injury isn't that serious.
Not swinging at that 3-0 kind of lets you know Tex' mindset. This team's inability to perform is mind boggling.
Tex loox impossibly bad. i really enjoyed watching him here in hotlanta. i'm not sure it's the same guy/ballplayer...
Aw hell. Its Veras.
MRI tonight. That's not a good sign.
Strained quad. Molina's going to have an MRI tonight.
YES guys think this is bad news for a catcher.
What were they chanting?
I was going to drive down to Baltimore this weekend...this team has completely sucked the life out of me that I'm not going to bother.
[156] Expert analysis there from YES..I never would have guessed a strained quad (needing an MRI) could be bad news for a catcher..
Tex is awful right now, but he does seem to have some passion..I thought the knock on him was he was "unemotional" and "not a gamer"...
"Nice piece of hitting" th most overused phrase in baseball broadcasting.
Melancon or Robertson please?
[161] This bullpen is a disaster...it's going to result in Joba being yanked from the rotation.
Thanks, Girardi.
ENOUGH JOSE FUCKING VERAS.
Every game follows the same blue print.
[164] Girardi has faith in his guys.
[162] But at least Melancon and Robertson have upside, so I'm willing to endure short term pain for mid to long term gain.
Veras is what he is, same as Alby and Ramirez.
That's why I want Girardi fired.
[160] "Nice piece of hitting" is Michael Kay's code word for "This guy has a 95 mph fastball and that's all I think matters, so if they get a hit off him they must be Ted Williams."
Good thing Mo's nice and rested. Why use him for two last night...there might be a save situation sometime next week.
I gotta think Cashman is on the phone right now trying to get a catcher somewhere. Even if Molina's injury isn't that bad...he'll need a better backup than a kid who can't even hit AA pitching.
[168] You may have been out when Kay was talking about ice cream earlier in the game, but he never sounded so competent about a subject.
[170] Oh God. Cashman's ON THE CASE!
Somehow we'll wind up with a shitty, wild, right handed reliever.
[170] I have no problem with Cervelli. It's not like he has to hit to replicate what Molina does, and he is good defensively.
[171] I can believe that.
Ooops, posted this in the wrong thread:
So it was 2-0 when I checked out, spent time with a friend who’d stopped by. Of course, I tune back in and it’s 5-4 then within ten minutes, 6-4.
Of course, right? I mean, what was I expecting, to tune in to find ourselves in possession of a commanding lead? Or any kind of a lead, for that matter.
Wow.
[171] I prefer cannoli.
Oh, yes, and another injury, to boot.
Of course.
[173] I still like to call him "Italian National Hero" Francisco Cervelli
As for the pattern the last few days, it's the last part that kills me ... giving back the leas immediately after catching up. They keep almost doing it. Following the script, they'd win those games. But they just cough it up again and again. As moribund as the offense has been the last few days, the pitching is still tearing the team's heart out.
Oh and that shot of Girardi in the dugout had a real "dead man walking" look to it. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much.
Things are no going to change if the Yankees dont make changes. I am now of the mindset that with Girardi at the helm, this team will not make the playoffs.
I love how the YES announcers are explaining that the Rays are good, boys and girls, and that's why they beat the Yankees. Okay???
The end.
[179] I have to believe that the end is getting near.
[175] We were tied for a little while. You missed it.
What an interesting shot of the bench...looks like a wake. I think that's the shot of the Girardi era.
Meanwhile, Cano's down to .325. I'll be really, really pissed if the rest of the season he's hovering around .300. I know, I know, that sounds greedy, but he did hit .342 (or whatever it was) and has the ability to be a solid .330 hitter.
I know, sounds like a nit-pick, but I'm really, really frustrated by all this (I know, I'm not alone).
No, Robbie, don't bother. Five losses in a row, two games under, no need to SWING THE FUCKING BAT
[182] Of course you have to, because it's keeping you sane - but I think it's just you and me that feel that way. We're convincing each other but I bet you his sourpuss will be staring out of that dugout come the Yanks' inevitable October vacation.
Melky will save us.
[187] I guess I'm hoping the sons want to win as much as the father.
Girardi looks like he is biting his tongue off, while Maddon is calmly sipping some hot tea. The Rays actually have a worse record than the Yankees. I think that juxtaposition says more about the Yankees problems than anything.
It's funny how the Yankees stink so bad. Three under .500 is problematic, even this early.
[187] I really don't think this team has any hope until they make a change from the top on down.
I was almost right
Oh good. More Veras. Because he looked so good.
looks like a broken record game tonight.
molina just doesn't seem to be able to play this many games.
haven't read through all the comments, so apologies if this has been brought up - but doug melvin is supposedly getting fired - sometimes once the flood gates for firings open up more follow
No, Robbie, don’t bother. Five losses in a row, two games under, no need to SWING THE FUCKING BAT
He did that a lot last year. Don't think that's what we want.
Oh good. More Veras. Because he looked so good.
Meanwhile, Coke and Rivera can only go an inning or less...
Did Michael Kay just say Bartlett and Iwamura went out to see where they like "to feed?"
This is the David Cone I don't like. Too much homerism.
Veras pitches better after he coughs up a run to put the game further out of reach. Much less pressure.
[196] I'll take a 15 strikeouts swinging before I take a strikeout looking.
Kay absolutely did say "like to feed"
Apparently they're cattle.
This sucks!
Ok, this might sound crazy, but is there any correlation between Robbie being moved up in the order and his latest free fall?
This team can do nothing right. Nothing at all
I will say this for this series against the Rays: It strangely takes the sting out of the Red Sox series. The Yankees are just a mess, it doesn't matter who they're playing now. If they stink this bad a while longer, they'll loosen up and play better against the Red Sox next time.
Of course, they'll be 10 games back by then.
Oh christ. We're getting the Dan Wheeler story.
The Yankees could have had three hits against Wheeler...
Don't mess this up, plese!!!
Damon is the motherfucken man!!!
Hoorays.
I didn't think so at the time he was signed, but Johnny Damon has been worth the price.
Yay.
That's two deep flies in a row for Tex... I see that as a good sign, but maybe I'm wrong?
[214] I don't want to rewind, but I didn't notice that last flyout being all that deep.
Cone was just so spot on about how good Wheeler is...for the opposing team.
Lighting incense to pray for Johnny Damon now, he's been awesome!
[215] He probably meant deep to Michael Kay.
[218] I was going to ask if it was Michael Kay deep.
Oh thank God. I thought Jose Veras was still in there.
Kay's been good today. When the fielder is standing and not moving with his glove up, his voice doesn't sugest it is a homerun.
Nice pitch sequence.
Hey, what'd'ya know about that! We tied it up!
Mo has Kd 4 guys in a row..Jason Bay kiss my ass, you got lucky!
[221] Kay is one of those dolls with you pull the string in the back and it says one of several random, rotating lines.
I really like Carl Crawford
I love how Cervelli moves behind the plate and receives the pitch. Now if he could only hit Gardner's weight. : /
Cursed.
Oh Christ.
I wish he would have caught that one. FUCK!!!!!!!!!
[225] SeeYA! I liked how he once went on about Jessica Simpson being hot (she's not..) and was not a distraction to Tony Romo..this in the sixth inning of a tie-game last year!
I think I'm going to throw up.
Is this a dream?
I MEAN WHAT THE MOTHERFUCK IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This team just can't win.
jesus FUCK! i give up...
Oh no...could it be..the end of Mo???
IM FUCKING SICK OF TIPPING CAPS.
arrrrghhhh
Jeez. I'd rather just trail the entire game, than catch up, lose, catch up, lose.
Ok, I'm going to crawl under the covers and cry now.
I can't recall the last time I've seen that, if ever.
Mo did blow eight tie games last season.
What the FUCK, Mo???
If Girardi and Cashman get fired, this can be a necessary evil.
Bring back Veras!
This team is now playing every game to lose. Every player has a demoralized look as if they are waiting around to lose. It's sad to say, but this team isn't a good team, yet again.
oh. my. god.
RIP Yankees.
Mo has blown games before...but back to back home runs?
Girardi,
It may not be all your fault, but it's time to go.
I know this is just baseball, but I'm feeling really, really shaken right now.
Mo was our last line of defense.
We are fucked.
[238] me too..i can't believe it..if Mariano is no longer reliable, this team is done for...
Cone is annoying the hell out of me.
OMG. Pulling Mo now?
Oh no. Please. Don't just make a move for the sake of making a move.
The 2009 Yankees are on the fast track to becoming an absolute disaster.
*channels the old George*
Robertson > Veras
[254] I am just glad the old George probably isn't aware of how miserable his team is, even if it means were stuck with an ineffectual manager.
This team has defeated me. I just don't care anymore. Have a firesale. Let the idiot GM trade all the stars for relievers and bench players and bring Kei Igawa up. At least it will be hilarious to watch.
Mo will always have a place in my Yankee fan heart, but his blown save v. Boston started this train on its present downward run.
[258] I'll always point more to "we don't play that kind of baseball" in Game six.
Wow, what a year so far for the Yanks:
1. Totally fucked up the tickets to the new stadium
2. Can barely see monument park
3. CC and AJ have pitched poorly
4. Tex sucks
5. The bullpen sucks
6. Giaradi sucks
7. 0 - 5 vs. Boston
8. The injuries
9. A-Rod (no need to detail anymore)
This blows. Hello rock-bottom. Nice to meet you. Nowhere to go but up, I say. Bollocks!!
I hate to be dramatic but..are we watching the end of Mariano? I know his stats still look ok with the Ks and low walk totals but..man, this one hurts too much..
HEART!
Nice...two meak hacks followed by leisurely strolls down the line. This team is an embarassment.
[260] Only 6. can be fixed quickly, and maybe .9 tomorrow.
This blows. Hello rock-bottom. Nice to meet you. Nowhere to go but up, I say. Bollocks!!
The problem with that is that every time you think the team hits rock bottom, they dig and find another level.
[256] I really don't think a managerial change is enough anymore.
[262] It's still low on the problem list for this season. The bigger problem is this team has absolute no personality and no ability to handle pressure...they are a reflection of their manager.
[266] I thought last night was rock bottom.
[267] Maybe, but I see a team that has been mired in a culture without accountability for two seasons. It is a leaderless team.
Pefect way to end the game. Swisher doesn't even care anymore.
Taking a called strike down the middle to end the game...how appropriate.
Meanwhile, a look at the bench shows a very casual team that seems none to upset about the fact that they suck.
[267] There's only one way to find out.
[270] I agree. But if the incompetent General Manager stays and keeps up his history of not only making atrocious moves, but stubbornly sticking to them, no manager is ever going to save this team.
Good news from Michael Kay...Yankees only trail Boston by 4 in the loss column. What an asshole.
[275] The Yankees are on a real bad moral victory kick. They're the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Rare candor by Flaherty.
[274] Regardless of what you think of Cashman, his stamp is already on the team. Firing him midseason wont impact the team. If the Yankees don't make the playoffs again, which is probably likely, then you can fire Cashman the day after the season.
Meanwhile, a look at the bench shows a very casual team that seems none to upset about the fact that they suck.
Could it be that they're stunned? We just saw Rivera give back to back hr's...
Even an idiot should understand that Mo's failures and possible decline is a reason to develop Melancon and Robertson...or not.
[279] Didn't look stunned...that would be sitting on the bench stairing at the field. Instead, it was guys calmly collecting bats and filing into the clubhouse.
But if the incompetent General Manager stays and keeps up his history of not only making atrocious moves, but stubbornly sticking to them,
It's a bit early to say that the moves to bring Sabathia, Burnett & Teix, along with resigning Pettitte are atrocious.
[278] Firing him midseason would make me happy. And at this point, its all I can ask for out of this team.
[282] If I see Sidney Ponson on this team one more time, I won't be held accountable for my actions.
Instead, it was guys calmly collecting bats and filing into the clubhouse.
Beating the hell out of inanimate objects doesn't change the fact that they suck.
New! It's the latest internet trend!
You may have heard of "FML" - but now there's "FTY!" (F*ck these yankees)
Your #3 hitter batting below the Mendoza line? FTY
Still hesitant to steal off of noodle-armed Varitek? FTY
Hitting .080 with RISP? FTY
Your God-like closer Giving up game-winning gofer balls?
That's right... FTY
If I see Sidney Ponson on this team one more time, I won’t be held accountable for my actions.
The two seasons Ponson was bought on board, there were numerous injuries to the pitching staff.
[285] It doesn't, but accepting losing so easily can often lead to doing more of it.
Aside from the Mo is losing it implications, his performanc doesn't bother half as much as the bottom of the 9th that saw three Yankee batters basically mail in their ABs.
[287] So? And the answer is to hire a proven failure? TWICE?
[290] If you need bodies, sure why not? The Dodgers just called up Jeff Weaver, who hasn't shown much of anything since maybe his first go-round with the Dodgers.
[291] Its the definition of insanity.
Baseball Tonight is talking long and hard about Manny ...
and there is a graphic stuck on the screen
"Baseball Tonight pres. by 5-Hour Energy"
Hmmm .... 5-Hour Energy ... isn't that kind of a PED? :-)
[291] Which is why he's pitching for the Royals. It's the reason the Rangers picked him up. And the Twins after the Yanks were done with him. As long as there are pitching problems around the league, teams will give just about anyone who can throw a shot.
It would be ironic to fire Cashman now, after a kick-ass offseason. I don't get that at all. The reason we're pissed at the team is they should be doing better. Was anyone looking for Cashman to be fired prior to the season? Don't lie.
The Yankees were in very good position to start this season. What happened is certain indivdiuals haven't performed to expectations. That and a couple nasty surprises from the Red Sox have sent the team into a mental tailspin the last few days. But they continue to battle. I mean, they lost but they're fighting. That's not a moral victory but it makes me wonder. What is the problem exactly? Why are they so inconsistent, even within a single game? Doesn't that come down to the manager, if anyone? Maybe it's not his fault, but apparently he isn't helping. His sad Torre imitation is not what this team needs.
I'm sick of the button-up culture in Yankee-ville, like they're an order of monks or something. Time to loosen up.
Also ironic: A team that can't seem to hit in the clutch, anxiously awaiting A Rod to save them.
[295] I've been looking for Brian Cashman to be fired for the better part of the last four years. I think he's an awful evaluator of pitching. I think he's stubborn and extremely slow to admit his own mistakes. I watched him talk for years about waiting for "equal talent" in an exchange for the useless Carl Pavano, but trade Randy Johnson for absolutely nothing. I've watched him let Sidney Ponson pitch 100 inning for this team over two separate stints. Hell, anyone that thinks Wilson Betemit is "the next David Ortiz" probably should not be in charge of a baseball team.