"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Minute by Minute

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!

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297 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 6:57 pm

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.

2 Alex Belth   ~  May 7, 2009 6:58 pm

Essactly. It is kind of interesting too. But pretty heavy at times as well.

3 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:03 pm

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.

4 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:11 pm

crap ... i should just start drinking now

5 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:11 pm

Well, that didn't take long...

6 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:13 pm

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.

7 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 7:14 pm

Good Lord, is Jamie Moyer really still pitching? God bless him.

8 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 7:15 pm

Dude is 46.

9 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:17 pm

Well, this is getting ugly.

10 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 7:18 pm

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.

11 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 7:21 pm

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.

12 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:23 pm

Lotta empty seats.

13 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 7:23 pm

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?

14 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 7:23 pm

And there goes the idea that "just when the pitching comes around, the offense falters" ...

15 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:23 pm

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 ...

16 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 7:24 pm

[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!

17 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 7:26 pm

[13] you just described my 5 most recent evenings...

18 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:29 pm

alright tex, time to get it right.

19 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 7:29 pm

[16] That's probably true.

But it isn't stopping me from howling at the screen.

20 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:35 pm

just another inning of horseshit Yankees baseball

21 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:40 pm

Andy doing better, at least.

22 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 7:47 pm

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 ...

23 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 7:54 pm

Bottom of the lineup stepping up!

24 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:55 pm

well, at least we're gonna clear all the pitchers' spots ...

25 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 7:55 pm

Man, I like Ramiro Pena in 2012.

26 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 7:56 pm

yup.

27 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 7:58 pm

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.

28 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 7:59 pm

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.

29 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 8:02 pm

damn, crawford's fast ... he was coasting into 1st ...

30 cult of basebaal   ~  May 7, 2009 8:05 pm

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.

31 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:05 pm

Nice...13-15, but still 13-10 against everyone but Boston and 11-7 against everyone but Boston and TB.

32 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:09 pm

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?

33 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:09 pm

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

34 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:11 pm

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.

35 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:12 pm

[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.

36 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:13 pm

[31] Things change, dude. Arguments from three games ago make easy targets, but beyond that I don't see the point.

37 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:14 pm

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.

38 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:15 pm

[34] [35] Agreed. What can be done to change that atmosphere?

39 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:16 pm

[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).

40 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:17 pm

tex looks awful. at least he was walking a week ago, now, not even that.

41 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:17 pm

[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.

42 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:18 pm

He should take them to play pool again. It worked in ST where they won 11 games in a row, right?

43 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:19 pm

Absolutely awful, awful AB by Matsui. He was trying to go into the seats instead of advancing the rally.

44 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 8:19 pm

Popular move: Fire the stadium and replace it with Willie Randolph.

45 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:20 pm

[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.

46 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:21 pm

I don't understand why they can't hit this guy. at least on TV they all seem like BP fastballs.

47 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:22 pm

[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.

48 OldYanksFan   ~  May 7, 2009 8:24 pm

Man... Girardi just can't hit with RISP.

49 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:25 pm

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.

50 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:26 pm

Can we at least let Cervelli play until he proves that he can't?

51 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:26 pm

[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.

52 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:27 pm

[48] Do you think intangibles matter in sports?

53 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:30 pm

[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.)

54 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:30 pm

[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.

55 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:32 pm

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.

56 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 8:32 pm

Seriously, who would people want to replace Girardi?

I guess Bobby Valentine?

57 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:32 pm

[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.

58 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:33 pm

[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.

59 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:34 pm

[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.

60 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:35 pm

[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.

61 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:36 pm

Melky is at his best when he is patient at the plate.

62 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 8:36 pm

[59] What was the Showalter/A-Rod relationship? I thought bad like everyone who worked with A-Rod.

63 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:37 pm

[62] I just heard an interview with him last week and he said they had a good relationship, at least according to him.

64 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:38 pm

[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.

65 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:38 pm

[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.

66 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:38 pm

I don't think I've ever seen a puitcher thow this badly and not give up any runs.

67 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:39 pm

[65] If the Red Sox are the reason the Yankees are playing poorly now then that's an even better reason to fire Girardi.

68 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:40 pm

another runner on 2nd with 1 out...

69 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 8:40 pm

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.

70 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 8:40 pm

Ramiro for starting SS 2010!

71 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:41 pm

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.

72 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:41 pm

any bets on what happens here?

73 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:42 pm

[67] That's what I've been saying.

74 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:42 pm

[70] Seconded! Hell why not?

... Oops ... Oh yeah ...

75 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:43 pm

Holy................

76 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:43 pm

[72] I wouldn't have bet on that.

77 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 8:44 pm

Molina makes himself useful.

78 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:44 pm

Incredible.

79 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:46 pm

[76] or on jeter's line-out. bad luck there

80 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:46 pm

Please don't tease me.

81 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:46 pm

Quiety, Jeter is struggling again. The Yankees need him to get going.

82 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 8:46 pm

Damon deserves that contract next year... Probably with some other team.

83 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 8:47 pm

Damon's glove may suck these days, but his stick is still good.

84 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:47 pm

If Teixeira makes another out, he may actualyl look forward to his Baltimore return.

85 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:47 pm

[82] The Yankees will need a DH next year; Damon could be a candidate.

86 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:48 pm

No one needs Alex more than Teix.

87 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 8:48 pm

poor tex

88 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:48 pm

[85] How many games can Posada's body hold up at C? He will probably have to DH at least 50 games, maybe more.

89 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:49 pm

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).

90 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:50 pm

[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.

91 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 8:51 pm

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.

92 its430   ~  May 7, 2009 8:52 pm

[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.

93 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:52 pm

[91] It wasn't bad, but he is struggling.

Teixeira has definitely hurt this team. He seems to come up in every big rally.

94 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:53 pm

[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.

95 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 8:54 pm

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. : )

96 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:57 pm

[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).

97 its430   ~  May 7, 2009 8:57 pm

[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.

98 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 8:57 pm

[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.

99 its430   ~  May 7, 2009 8:58 pm

Err. batting 3rd I mean. My mistake

100 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 8:58 pm

[97] He is batting 3rd, but may move to cleanup after Arod's return.

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:00 pm

Speaking of the NY Rangers...

102 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:00 pm

Matsui says to williamnyy23: I want to be considered for DH next year!

103 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:01 pm

Notice the empty front row and the cop...I guess that's the Yankees way to prevent more stolen HRs.

104 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:01 pm

[102] He is worthy of consideration too IF he can play a full healthy season.

105 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:02 pm

Over the last two games, Swisher's AB have been poor. I wonder if he is still feeling the effects of that beaning.

106 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:03 pm

I hope Melky keeps this up...he's making me feel like a proud papa.

107 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:03 pm

Did David Cone just use the words Juan Pierre and Manny Ramirez in the same sentence?

108 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 9:04 pm

[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.

109 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:04 pm

Oh crap...Molina might be hurt too. The sad thing is there is no PH.

110 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:04 pm

Pinch-hitting for Molina?

111 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:05 pm

holy crap, shit sox score TWELVE runs before recording an out. christ.

at least we tied the game...

112 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:06 pm

[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.

113 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 9:06 pm

[109] How did the Molina injury happen? I missed it.

114 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:07 pm

But for Buck (and Stick) Torre would never have been handed the keys to a team that could go an extended run.

115 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 9:07 pm

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.

116 tocho   ~  May 7, 2009 9:07 pm

funny how they slapped the cop in the butt two times before he turned around and said that's enough...

117 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:08 pm

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?

118 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:08 pm

Uh, boy. Give Paul Bako a call.

119 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:08 pm

[113] Looks like a pulled hamstring when he scored.

120 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 9:08 pm

[113] Happened while running; pulled up a bit lame after he scored.

121 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:09 pm

[92] I said bring in Showalter. I think Mattingly is a better fit, but obviously he can't come here now. Hence ... Showalter.

122 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:10 pm

[118] I'd call Omar and see if Castro is available.

123 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:10 pm

I'm not sure that Mattingly wouldn't take the job now if it was offered.

124 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:11 pm

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.

125 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:11 pm

[123] If his family situation is right, I think he would jump at it.

126 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:11 pm

Come on Andy!!! Damn it.

127 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:11 pm

Thanks, Andy.

128 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:12 pm

[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... : /

129 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:13 pm

[122] good thinkin'! per usual... : )

130 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 9:14 pm

[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?!?!?!

131 Shaun P.   ~  May 7, 2009 9:14 pm

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.

132 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:16 pm

[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.

133 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:16 pm

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.

134 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:17 pm

No more runs!

135 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:17 pm

[133] This feels like 2008 Andy now.

136 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:19 pm

I'm starting to revel in the miserable rut this team is in. Bring it on!

137 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:19 pm

[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...

138 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:19 pm

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.

139 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:20 pm

They have to win one before they go on a roll. Tonight is as good a time as any to get that started.

140 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:20 pm

The last Yankee lead was in the 5th inning on SATURDAY!

141 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 9:21 pm

[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..

142 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:23 pm

I'd start Cervelli over Cash.

143 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:23 pm

Damn I miss Molina.

144 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:23 pm

I passed out; What the fuck happened?

145 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:24 pm

[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.

146 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:25 pm

What the hell could Jeter have possibly, possibly been waiting for there?

147 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:26 pm

[144] you're lucky!

148 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:27 pm

johnny b. goode!

149 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:28 pm

[144] Sometimes I wonder if Girardi wakes up in cold sweat and utters that same phrase.

150 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:29 pm

This team is in really bad shape.

151 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:29 pm

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.

152 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:29 pm

Not swinging at that 3-0 kind of lets you know Tex' mindset. This team's inability to perform is mind boggling.

153 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 9:30 pm

Tex loox impossibly bad. i really enjoyed watching him here in hotlanta. i'm not sure it's the same guy/ballplayer...

154 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:33 pm

Aw hell. Its Veras.

155 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:33 pm

MRI tonight. That's not a good sign.

156 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:34 pm

Strained quad. Molina's going to have an MRI tonight.

YES guys think this is bad news for a catcher.

157 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:34 pm

What were they chanting?

158 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:35 pm

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.

159 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 9:35 pm

[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"...

160 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:37 pm

"Nice piece of hitting" th most overused phrase in baseball broadcasting.

161 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:39 pm

Melancon or Robertson please?

162 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:40 pm

[161] This bullpen is a disaster...it's going to result in Joba being yanked from the rotation.

163 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:41 pm

Thanks, Girardi.

164 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:41 pm

ENOUGH JOSE FUCKING VERAS.

165 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:41 pm

Every game follows the same blue print.

166 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:41 pm

[164] Girardi has faith in his guys.

167 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:42 pm

[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.

168 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:42 pm

[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."

169 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:42 pm

Good thing Mo's nice and rested. Why use him for two last night...there might be a save situation sometime next week.

170 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:44 pm

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.

171 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:44 pm

[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.

172 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:45 pm

[170] Oh God. Cashman's ON THE CASE!

Somehow we'll wind up with a shitty, wild, right handed reliever.

173 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:45 pm

[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.

174 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:45 pm

[171] I can believe that.

175 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 9:47 pm

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.

176 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 9:47 pm

[171] I prefer cannoli.

177 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 9:48 pm

Oh, yes, and another injury, to boot.

Of course.

178 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:48 pm

[173] I still like to call him "Italian National Hero" Francisco Cervelli

179 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:48 pm

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.

180 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:49 pm

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.

181 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:50 pm

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.

182 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:50 pm

[179] I have to believe that the end is getting near.

183 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 9:50 pm

[175] We were tied for a little while. You missed it.

184 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:51 pm

What an interesting shot of the bench...looks like a wake. I think that's the shot of the Girardi era.

185 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 9:51 pm

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).

186 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:51 pm

No, Robbie, don't bother. Five losses in a row, two games under, no need to SWING THE FUCKING BAT

187 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:51 pm

[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.

188 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:52 pm

Melky will save us.

189 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:52 pm

[187] I guess I'm hoping the sons want to win as much as the father.

190 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 9:54 pm

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.

191 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:54 pm

It's funny how the Yankees stink so bad. Three under .500 is problematic, even this early.

192 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:54 pm

[187] I really don't think this team has any hope until they make a change from the top on down.

193 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 9:55 pm

I was almost right

194 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:56 pm

Oh good. More Veras. Because he looked so good.

195 ms october   ~  May 7, 2009 9:57 pm

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

196 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 9:58 pm

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.

197 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 9:59 pm

Oh good. More Veras. Because he looked so good.

Meanwhile, Coke and Rivera can only go an inning or less...

198 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 9:59 pm

Did Michael Kay just say Bartlett and Iwamura went out to see where they like "to feed?"

199 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 9:59 pm

This is the David Cone I don't like. Too much homerism.

200 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:00 pm

Veras pitches better after he coughs up a run to put the game further out of reach. Much less pressure.

Show/Hide Comments 201-297
201 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:02 pm

[196] I'll take a 15 strikeouts swinging before I take a strikeout looking.

202 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:03 pm

Kay absolutely did say "like to feed"

Apparently they're cattle.

203 Dimelo   ~  May 7, 2009 10:03 pm

This sucks!

204 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:04 pm

Ok, this might sound crazy, but is there any correlation between Robbie being moved up in the order and his latest free fall?

205 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:04 pm

This team can do nothing right. Nothing at all

206 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 10:05 pm

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.

207 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:07 pm

Oh christ. We're getting the Dan Wheeler story.

208 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:07 pm

The Yankees could have had three hits against Wheeler...

209 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:08 pm

Don't mess this up, plese!!!

210 Dimelo   ~  May 7, 2009 10:08 pm

Damon is the motherfucken man!!!

211 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 10:09 pm

Hoorays.

212 vockins   ~  May 7, 2009 10:09 pm

I didn't think so at the time he was signed, but Johnny Damon has been worth the price.

213 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:09 pm

Yay.

214 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 10:10 pm

That's two deep flies in a row for Tex... I see that as a good sign, but maybe I'm wrong?

215 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:10 pm

[214] I don't want to rewind, but I didn't notice that last flyout being all that deep.

216 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:11 pm

Cone was just so spot on about how good Wheeler is...for the opposing team.

217 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:11 pm

Lighting incense to pray for Johnny Damon now, he's been awesome!

218 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:11 pm

[215] He probably meant deep to Michael Kay.

219 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:12 pm

[218] I was going to ask if it was Michael Kay deep.

220 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:13 pm

Oh thank God. I thought Jose Veras was still in there.

221 BrianLevy2020   ~  May 7, 2009 10:13 pm

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.

222 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:17 pm

Nice pitch sequence.

223 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:17 pm

Hey, what'd'ya know about that! We tied it up!

224 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:18 pm

Mo has Kd 4 guys in a row..Jason Bay kiss my ass, you got lucky!

225 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:18 pm

[221] Kay is one of those dolls with you pull the string in the back and it says one of several random, rotating lines.

226 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:19 pm

I really like Carl Crawford

227 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

I love how Cervelli moves behind the plate and receives the pitch. Now if he could only hit Gardner's weight. : /

228 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

Cursed.

229 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

Oh Christ.

230 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

I wish he would have caught that one. FUCK!!!!!!!!!

231 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

[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!

232 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:20 pm

I think I'm going to throw up.

Is this a dream?

I MEAN WHAT THE MOTHERFUCK IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

233 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:21 pm

This team just can't win.

234 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 10:21 pm

jesus FUCK! i give up...

235 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:21 pm

Oh no...could it be..the end of Mo???

236 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:22 pm

IM FUCKING SICK OF TIPPING CAPS.

237 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 10:22 pm

arrrrghhhh

Jeez. I'd rather just trail the entire game, than catch up, lose, catch up, lose.

238 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:22 pm

Ok, I'm going to crawl under the covers and cry now.

239 vockins   ~  May 7, 2009 10:22 pm

I can't recall the last time I've seen that, if ever.

240 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:22 pm

Mo did blow eight tie games last season.

241 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:23 pm

What the FUCK, Mo???

242 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:23 pm

If Girardi and Cashman get fired, this can be a necessary evil.

243 Dimelo   ~  May 7, 2009 10:23 pm

Bring back Veras!

244 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:23 pm

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.

245 thelarmis   ~  May 7, 2009 10:23 pm

oh. my. god.

RIP Yankees.

246 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 10:24 pm

Mo has blown games before...but back to back home runs?

247 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:24 pm

Girardi,

It may not be all your fault, but it's time to go.

248 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  May 7, 2009 10:24 pm

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.

249 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:24 pm

[238] me too..i can't believe it..if Mariano is no longer reliable, this team is done for...

250 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:25 pm

Cone is annoying the hell out of me.

251 randym77   ~  May 7, 2009 10:25 pm

OMG. Pulling Mo now?

252 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:25 pm

Oh no. Please. Don't just make a move for the sake of making a move.

253 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:25 pm

The 2009 Yankees are on the fast track to becoming an absolute disaster.

254 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:27 pm

*channels the old George*

255 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:28 pm

Robertson > Veras

256 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:28 pm

[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.

257 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:29 pm

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.

258 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:29 pm

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.

259 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:31 pm

[258] I'll always point more to "we don't play that kind of baseball" in Game six.

260 Dimelo   ~  May 7, 2009 10:31 pm

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)

261 Just Fair   ~  May 7, 2009 10:31 pm

This blows. Hello rock-bottom. Nice to meet you. Nowhere to go but up, I say. Bollocks!!

262 Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO   ~  May 7, 2009 10:31 pm

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..

263 Dimelo   ~  May 7, 2009 10:32 pm

HEART!

264 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:33 pm

Nice...two meak hacks followed by leisurely strolls down the line. This team is an embarassment.

265 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:33 pm

[260] Only 6. can be fixed quickly, and maybe .9 tomorrow.

266 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 10:33 pm

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.

267 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:34 pm

[256] I really don't think a managerial change is enough anymore.

268 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:34 pm

[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.

269 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:34 pm

[266] I thought last night was rock bottom.

270 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:35 pm

[267] Maybe, but I see a team that has been mired in a culture without accountability for two seasons. It is a leaderless team.

271 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:36 pm

Pefect way to end the game. Swisher doesn't even care anymore.

272 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:36 pm

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.

273 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:37 pm

[267] There's only one way to find out.

274 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:37 pm

[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.

275 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:40 pm

Good news from Michael Kay...Yankees only trail Boston by 4 in the loss column. What an asshole.

276 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:42 pm

[275] The Yankees are on a real bad moral victory kick. They're the Pittsburgh Pirates.

277 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:43 pm

Rare candor by Flaherty.

278 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:43 pm

[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.

279 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 10:44 pm

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...

280 Rich   ~  May 7, 2009 10:44 pm

Even an idiot should understand that Mo's failures and possible decline is a reason to develop Melancon and Robertson...or not.

281 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:45 pm

[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.

282 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 10:45 pm

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.

283 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:45 pm

[278] Firing him midseason would make me happy. And at this point, its all I can ask for out of this team.

284 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:47 pm

[282] If I see Sidney Ponson on this team one more time, I won't be held accountable for my actions.

285 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 10:47 pm

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.

286 its430   ~  May 7, 2009 10:48 pm

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

287 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 10:48 pm

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.

288 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:49 pm

[285] It doesn't, but accepting losing so easily can often lead to doing more of it.

289 williamnyy23   ~  May 7, 2009 10:51 pm

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.

290 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 10:53 pm

[287] So? And the answer is to hire a proven failure? TWICE?

291 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 11:10 pm

[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.

292 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 11:13 pm

[291] Its the definition of insanity.

293 Diane Firstman   ~  May 7, 2009 11:23 pm

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? :-)

294 Raf   ~  May 7, 2009 11:24 pm

[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.

295 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 11:27 pm

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.

296 The Hawk   ~  May 7, 2009 11:29 pm

Also ironic: A team that can't seem to hit in the clutch, anxiously awaiting A Rod to save them.

297 Mattpat11   ~  May 7, 2009 11:39 pm

[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.

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