Sure the Yankeess may be 12 ½ games behind Boston in the AL East, and 7 behind the Tigers in the Wild Card race, but last night was a sweet treat for their fans anyway.
Yet another Yankees lead in Fenway… yet another come from behind Red Sox rally…and yet another dismal let down brewing for New York in what has been a damper of a season. The fact that it started raining buckets in the last few innings, made another potential loss seem even more fitting.
After the Yankees jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Josh Beckett, they quickly gave it right back to Boston. The Sox put a 5-spot on the board in the bottom of the 5th. To make matters worse it appeared that starter Andy Pettite hurt something in the inning, as he needed to get pulled during Boston's rally. Fortunately for the injury riddled and pitching light Yankees, it was determined to be just back spasms. Phew…
Boston nursed their 5-4 lead into the 8th. Enter newly crowned Yankees killer Hideki Okajima. Lick the glue, place the stamp, and send the mail cause this one is signed, sealed, delivered. Umm…not exactly. The only thing getting killed was Okajima’s pitch, as Robinson Cano delivered it 400+ feet off the center field wall for a game tying RBI triple with nobody out. Quite frustratingly third base is right where Cano stayed as three straight teammates failed to bring him home.
With the Yankees bullpen having already held Boston in check since the 5th, most figured they were due to implode. Not so fast. Brian Bruny held serve in the bottom of the frame. Where did this guy come from anyway? He’s been throwing BBs at hitters all season long. However, with Jonathan Papelbon coming in to pitch the top of the 9th, and with Mariano Rivera likely to pitch the bottom on the inning, it didn’t look good (considering Mo’s track record of late against Boston).
Papelbon quickly retired Derek Jeter on a grounder to first and then blew away Bobby Abreu. He jumped all over Alex Rodriguez and instantly had him buried in an 0-2 count. Papelbon was throwing cheese…hot stinky Limburger cheese. Wait a minute Chester, you cheesy cat. That’s Not-Cho Cheese that you’re throwing anymore...It’s his cheese…It’s A-God’s cheese. Hey Jonathan... turn around your patented stare because your fastball just landed way out there. Your game face now gets the gas face. Much like King Midas, everything Alex has touched with his bat this season has turned to Golden Cheddar. How fitting that the man with the most “Cheddah” went deep again in the 9th. How fitting it was that it closed out this week. A week filled with cheesy blond bombshells exposed on the side…cheesy “bush” league tactics shouting "HA-HA"-OR-"MINE"…cheesy Papelbon fastballs taking a RIDE! Yanks lead 6-5 as A-Rod flips off his critics with one swing of his stick.
Just one more place to go. Gotta go to Mo’s. Remember him? The greatest closer of his generation…the greatest closer of any generation…written off by many because of presumed degeneration. A classic rain soaked battle with David Ortiz ensued to start the bottom of the ninth. Foul ball, after foul ball, after foul ball…then it’#### deep to right…it is high... it is far... it is caught. Manny Ramirez is next up to bat. Strike one---strike two---strike three. Oh well, that’s just Manny being sat down. That's just one more out to go. Up now is Mr. Kevin You-Kill-Us. The new Johnny Damon... the new bearded favorite. Ooops...here take that...kerplunk; hope you enjoyed getting hit by a pitch... again! Who’s next? That tough guy Mike Lowell? The lowbrow looking man who likes to bowl over second baseman making plays halfway between the bags? That’s more “bush league” that yelling “HA”! But strike three you’re out too and the last laugh of this series was on you.
Yes the Red Sox have a big lead. Yes the Red Sox are in the driver’s seat. Yes the Yankees have things to work out and ground to gain. However, on one dark and soaking wet night the skies cleared for just a second...and Boston, for a change, was singing the blues in the rain.
Only 7 games back in the Wild Card? I'm feeling Lucky Seven. The way they've played it could be worse. The Yankees are now 2-1 in June. It's a new month. You still willing to count them out? I sure hope so.
Rev---87 years old, on her own in Boston, getting herself to the game...she sure is the bomb.
I hope she didn't get chilled to the bone. It's only for fans like her that I felt any happiness for when Boston finally won a World Series. I respect my elders and people like her deserved it.
Even so, I'm glad she was disappointed last night. She sounds like a cool and tough lady.
I think it's a mistake to render the Yankees dead already, but it's quite an uphill battle and I'm just not sure they can reach the summit. It will probably take at least 95 wins to win the AL East, and probably 92 or so for the AL Wild Card. I don't even see the Yankees reaching 90...
What do you think? Hope for one of the best "last two-thirds of the season" in baseball history, or preempt the failure by pawning off some of the veterans for prospects?
Josh Q---Lucky is my middle name. Or is it Danger? Or Stupid? Or Homer?
Depends on the day and today is my Lucky Day.
I'd trade last night with you for that 12 game lead. 12 game lead or not that still had to be pretty #### for you guys. Even so it was a good win and a nice moment for A-Rod all things considered this week.
Ultra---Tough call on what will happen. Just back in 2005 they were (I believe) 41-40 at the halfway mark after an eerily similar start to this season. As we know they caught Boston and won the division.
Different year and to be honest I am not even thinking division right now, whether there still is a slim chance or not. The team should focus on winning series one at a time and just hope to chip away at the wild card. When they play the Tigers, Indians, Twins, etc...they need to consistently take 2 out of 3. If there is one thing we Yankees fans have learned is that division titles don't mean championships.
I'm not into predictions but a good second half could get the job done. I don't know that it even has to be one of the best in history as you stated. If they can get to .500 at the halfway point (40-40), and then finish 52-30, there is your 92 game estimate. All told that would be 68-40 the rest of the way. Unfortunately as we know things are always easier said than done and 68-40 is no easy task.
If they fall out of it and the right deal comes along then pawn away the older guys to contenders. Seems though that it's always A-Rod that gets mentioned and I'd like to see him stay. He keeps things interesting. Any takers for Giambi and I say you ship him out. Same for Abreu. I mean I like them and all. They seem like nice guys but business is business.
Well, it's unlikely that A-Rod will be returning to the Yankees after this season, so you may as well maximize on his value, right? Pay part of his salary, and you can get at least 2 good prospects and a Major League level replacement at third base (or, perhaps, in the outfield if Abreu or Giambi are dealt for a third baseman).
I have a hard time thinking there will be interest in Giambi. Abreu could draw some just by virtue of his potential, but Giambi seems to be washed up, at least for this season. If I was a big wig in the Yankees front office, I'd keep Giambi on the DL until he is at least 95%.
I know the Yankees and their fans like to look only at the postseason this year, it might be wise to prepare a Plan B and focus on next season and beyond. Prepare for A-Rod bolting.
Ultra---I have heard that the White Sox have shopped Dye for Abreu. That is not a youth movement for either team. I would prefer to get a younger player myself or someone at another position such as first base.
As for Giambi, I thought the Yankees should have bit when the Angels offered Chone Figgins. Guys like Figgins that can play virtually every position are hard to come by. He frees up spots elsewhere on the roster. Now with this foot injury who knows what they can get for Jason.
If the Yankees get an inkling that A-Rod will bolt after this season, they should definitely try and trade him to a place he is willing to go. Better to get something than just lose him for nothing. Like I said though, I still hope he wants to stay. Not all Yankees fans were weak minded, brainless booers.
You are right. A plan B should be already in the planning stages assuming that their struggles last all year. I have liked what I have seen of the younf starters they have, especially Hughes and Clippard. I could see both being quality starters for many years. A new first baseman tops my wish list along with a catcher for Posada to groom for 2-3 years.
steelerfan---Thanks for noticing that combo steeler. It was just one win and we are currently buried in the standings, but it still was a classic Yanks-Sox game. The drama-humor connection was very intentional. I understand the Yanks are in a bad spot but I've been waiting for someone to take Papelbon deep for some time. Ironically it was A-Rod after catching hell all week. Great timing for him.
Hey, what about Saltalamacchia? Posada is a free agent after the season, so Salty would have almost an immediate impact on the team. That is, if the Yankees feel that they either don't want to re-sign Posada, or don't feel that Posada will return for a decent price.
Maybe Melky Cabrera and Scott Proctor would get it done. The Braves aren't getting much out of Scott Thorman at first base, but I don't think they would have any interest in Giambi. Andruw Jones is a free agent after this season, so Cabrera could take over in center.
Ultra---All I know about Saltalamacchia is that he was a first round draft pick. I guess that indicates that he is highly thought of in the Braves organization. Since they already have McCann maybe he is expendable. That is the type of catcher I would like to see Jorge groom.
If the first half is any indication then Posada is far from over. Personally he is a lifelong Yankee and Steinbrenner usually takes care of players like him. I googled Salty and saw he is only 22 I think. In that scenario he could benefit from some education from Jorge and first base coach Tony Pena. By the time he is 24-25 years old he could take over. With everything else being a #### shoot I think Proctor and Cabrera might be fair all things considered.
You are right that Giambi should only come back when totally healthy. Hopefully he puts up good enough numbers where the Yanks can get something of value. Even if it is some additional bullpen help. Although some of their guys have good stuff. A quality hard throwing lefty reliever would be a plus. The team has plenty of righties.
My how Jason has fallen when you consider that Chone Figgins and a quality lefty set up man is considered possible fair exchange for his services.
The Yankees may yet still make into the postseason, but sticking Clemens in that rotation is not going to be the answer, its getting other people in the rotation that will matter. If you go into post all-star break baseball with desalvo, cliparrd, and hughes...there can be a guarantee that you will not find the Yanks in the postseason.
When a team is struggling, big wins like that are very cool. I'm a Giants fan, and they've had such a middling, inconsistent season so far. Even so, they have been times when they put it all together, and it's fun to watch.
sportthink---Hey guy. Nice to hear from you. I don't know that there is an answer for the Yankees other than that the pitchers need to be consistent and the hitters even more so.
If the rotation gets healthier they can still make a run. Wang and Pettite have been at least solid. Mussina has not been but perhaps he can get it together. Then who knows what Roger will bring.
Hughes and Clippard have actually pitched well. I like them best of the young prospects. I would feel relatively comfortable with either as the 5th starter. They both have good stuff and need to learn eventually.
Time is ticking though. A run needs to come soon. It isn't that "early" anymore.
Pig---It was rather game recapish wasn't it. Maybe those ESPN chumps could let me write some material for Stuart Scott or somebody. I can add a little smack when the mood hits me.
Thanks for reading. It may be only be early June but I am getting tired of waiting. Like I told you losing sucks.
Nooch---The Yankees have been very much the same. The inconsistency is maddening. Early in the year it was the pitching. Lately the hitters have been underachieving. It's like they score just enough to lose, whether it be 5-4 or 9-8. You would think that sooner or later they could string more than one or two wins together.
That Sunday night game in Fenway was classic drama. Tight game, blown lead, rain storm, big confrontation between Papelbon and A-Rod, and Mariano actually saves a tight game against the Sox. Buried in the standings or not, the game brought a smile to Yankees fans everywhere.
Does that game make you want to sing that cheesy old school song... "well i love a rainy night... ohhhhhhhh i looooooooooove a rainy night"...
anyway, don't ask where I get these things from. I was happy to see the Yanks pull that one off... hoping for the AL East to get more interesting...
Demon---In just a short amount of time, not only will it still be baseball season, it will be the only season.
Tick-tock...tick-tock...the "when does football season start" clock ticks much slower than most any other.
Sorry man, you may have to pull a sports version of Rip Van Winkle. Either that or hope for some controversial #### to pop up. Hey Bonds is inching closer and closer. Can't wait for that load to hit the fan.
I'm a special ed teacher by trade. Funny, I spend my day wanting to say shut-up to people and then do the same here. Just can't seem to. That would be rude and most uncivilized.
I like to write and never met a thought I couldn't continue. My blogs, like this bio, tend to be far too long. I can admit it. If you make it to the end of one of my "essays" there's usually a message that could have been written in half the time by a better writer than me.
Did I mention I was a finalist in NGS II? No really I was, further proving that theyll let anyone in this place. I came in 10th, which is better than 16th I guess. Other than winning the 4th grade graduation writing award it was the biggest literary accomplishmen t of my life. I still haven't gotten used to being famous.
Hideki Okajima. Lick the glue, place the stamp, and send the mail cause this one is signed, sealed, delivered. Umm…not exactly. The only thing getting killed was Okajima’s pitch, as Robinson Cano delivered it 400+ feet off the center field wall for a game tying RBI triple with nobody out. Quite frustratingly third base is right where Cano stayed as three straight teammates failed to bring him home.
throwing BBs at hitters all season long. However, with Jonathan Papelbon coming in to pitch the top of the 9th, and with Mariano Rivera likely to pitch the bottom on the inning, it didn’t look good (considering Mo’s track record of late against Boston). 
of his stick. 
