"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Motivational Speaker

In the top of the seventh inning, David Robertson walked Matt Treanor to load the bases with only one out. The score was 3-1 Yanks, but Robertson did not seem to have good command of his fastball and the game was on the line. That’s when Larry Rothschild sprint-trotted to the mound (check the grass for scorch marks) and saved the game. With the aid of slow-motion replay and the lip-reading techniques listed on Wikipedia, I captured his motivational speech verbatim.

“Young Robertson,” he began “what afflicts thee?”

Roberston could be seen lowering his head. He didn’t have a ready answer.

“Ho, man, return my gaze and steel thyself,” he continued. “From yonder perch I observed this right arm lagging through the delivery and sailing offerings high into the ether, but now that I have ventured forth I see it is not an arm at all, but a thunderbolt! Who among these hapless mortals with their paltry wooden clubs can meet a thunderbolt and send it back with equal force? None, I vouch, except maybe Butler, but he’s not due up until the eighth.”

Robertson lifted his chin at this point and you can see Martin give him a “WTF is he talking about” kind of look if you pause it just at the right moment. But Robertson didn’t notice.

“That is not all,” Rothschild confided as he glanced sideways at the upcoming batter. “Once you have established the thunderbolt and you feel the fear in their hearts, rotate your hand thusly, cock thy wrist and turn this crude ball into a twisting mirage. It will appear to him at first in the middle, but when he strikes, it will disappear completely from his sight. I entrust you with the magics of my people, young Robertson. Now go forth and conquer.”

Then he spit on the ground to consecrate the pitching area. To complete the ritual, we’ll assume Francisco Cervelli sacrificed his kitten in the clubhouse. The YES cameras really dropped the ball on that one.

Sufficiently roused by the visit, Robertson proceeded to strike out Escobar on one of the most beautiful curve balls you’ll ever see. And then for good measure, he struck out the next guy too on another wicked deuce. I didn’t think Getz went around, but he certainly deserved to be out by that point. He was just taking emergency hacks trying to stay alive. But between the thunderbolt and the mirage, he didn’t have a chance.

That was basically that, as Rivera and Chamberlain faced only six more batters and the Royals never threatened again. Yankees 3 – Royals 1. Mariano allowed a hit and went to three balls on the two other hitters he faced. But he whiffed Hosmer and then started a spectacular game-ending double play.

Jeter continues to get some non-infield hits. Alex Rodriguez emerged briefly from his funk to guide the game-winning hit up the middle in the fifth. Swisher made a run-saving catch in the top of that inning and Freddy Garcia continues to get the job done. I’m glad they won this one because every time they lose a good game from Garcia or Colon, I feel like they’re burning found money. And hey, Melky hit a home run. Got that out of the way, now he can go 0 for the rest of the series.

Categories:  1: Featured  Game Recap  Jon DeRosa  Yankees

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15 comments

1 Mattpat11   ~  May 10, 2011 11:09 pm

Its amazing how five years ago, if you said that Jeter and Rodriguez won the game, I wouldn't bad an eye. Now they got a hearty "good for them!" response from me

2 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 10, 2011 11:29 pm

That was exquisite, Jon, just exquisite.

Thanks, you made my night.

3 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  May 10, 2011 11:43 pm

[2] Agreed! AND, the Sox lose in the 10th. Good night all around.

4 a.O   ~  May 11, 2011 12:24 am

This little incident, in addition to saving the game tonight, illustrates modern bullpen mis-management and mis-understanding. The guy who comes in and kills the rally when the starter falters with a lead -- the stopper role -- is every bit as important as the guy who finishes the 9th, the closer. Yet this value is not recognized in stats nor in strategy and guys such as Robertson and Chamberlain are termed "middle relievers." Too bad. Great game.

5 Chyll Will   ~  May 11, 2011 12:40 am

"And this Game 33 shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the season,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that gets these batters out
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This game shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in New York now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That played for us upon Freddy Garcia's day."

I like that Larry Lar's so well read... >;)

6 nettles   ~  May 11, 2011 12:41 am

Yep, a.O. The "save" is often earned in the 7th or 8th inning.

Jon, that was an inspired bit of writing. The Bard is smiling somewhere; so am I.

7 Eddie Lee Whitson KO   ~  May 11, 2011 4:17 am

I’m glad they won this one because every time they lose a good game from Garcia or Colon, I feel like they’re burning found money

Too true, Jon, too true. Well written piece, methanks you.

8 RIYank   ~  May 11, 2011 6:26 am

Jon, had we seen this side of your writing before?
I like.

Chyll, who the hell is Larry Lar?

And yes, it's going to be a great sportstalk radio morning in New England! (And I don't really dislike the Bruins, so that won't spoil the lovely Schadenfreude for me.)

9 Just Fair   ~  May 11, 2011 7:52 am

[0] This was a fine way to start the monrng. Thanks.

10 Shaun P.   ~  May 11, 2011 8:04 am

[0] "None, I vouch, except maybe Butler, but he’s not due up until the eighth."

I'm still chuckling. Beautiful recap, Jon.

[4] [6] The first team to go to a 6-man bullpen with 5 guys who can each throw more than 1 inning at a time is going to have a huge advantage. Not just on pitching, but with the extra bat on the bench.

I feel like the Yanks could do it, with all of the starters turned relievers they have in the pen, and everyone equally capable against lefties and righties. A shame they won't, because the extra bat would help spell the older hitters, too.

11 Alex Belth   ~  May 11, 2011 9:01 am

great recap

12 Jon DeRosa   ~  May 11, 2011 9:20 am

[5] niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

13 Chyll Will   ~  May 11, 2011 11:28 am

[8] That's hip-hop for Larry Rothschild (or any other worthwhile Larry we all know of); inspired by this old school ditty... Let me now amend that appellation to it's true form, Larry Love, for whom I hope there will be quite a bit of reason for by the end of the season >;)

14 Chyll Will   ~  May 11, 2011 11:29 am

[12] Inspired by The Bard and you, good sir...

15 Andyroo   ~  May 11, 2011 12:24 pm

Awesome recap Jon.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver