You know, it was a drag of a loss, but not dispiriting. 3-1 was the final, spoiling a good outing by Big Mike.
Sure, there was a dumb-looking miscommunication between Brett Gardner and Garrett Jones that led to a run–man, the Yanks have specialized in some of these Mack Sennett miscues this season–but really, they got out-pitched and lost a close game is all. No disgrace there. And it was an entertaining series if you can forgive the awkward chemistry between the YES announcers, Ryan Ruocco and John Flaherty. This was the D-List Yankee announcing team but kudos to YES for trying out some young blood. Ruocco is young but informed, attentive, and not without personality. Was he trying too hard at times? Maybe, but that’s not the worst sin. I got the feeling that his partner, John Flaherty wasn’t impressed. The former big leaguer busted Ruocco’s chops about a “Peace!” home run call on Saturday, but his teasing wasn’t funny, and I thought Ruocco’s call was fine. Let him play around a little, you know? Flaherty is the wrong man–aesthetically, at least–to pair with a young guy like Ruocco because Flaherty, while he is proficient, is not generous, often sour, and lacks a sense of humor. I don’t find him to be good company. Ruocco strained when he gave the needle back to Flaherty. They tried to swing a generation-gap Odd Couple thing but it didn’t click.
I was prepared not to like Ruocco and while he doesn’t have a great voice, he was much better than I expected. Be nice to see him with Cone, Singleton or Leiter next time out.
Anyhow, onward to Anaheim.
Flaherty can be o.k. as a side man but he doesn't have the chops (yet, I'm willing to give him time to grow) to be the main guy, paired with a newbie.
It's almost as if everyone else wanted to take this past weekend plus off, leaving it to Flash, and, oh, we've gotta come up with someone else.
The thing about Flaherty is that he's got this chip on his shoulder. Most players like him have a sense of humor about their limitations as a player but with Flash I always get a sense that he's bitter about the way things turned out, as if he should have been better. Maybe it's not bitterness but pride.
No wonder I didn't recognize the voice on the play-by-play. I didn't view the feed for very long - it was a busy day - but it was nice not to be listening to Michael Kay.
This is turning out to be a rather negative post, which I try to avoid, but for some time I have thought they need to DFA Flaherty from booth permanently. I find him flat, humorless, and otherwise just dull. He even got cranky taking BP at Old Timers' Day. What's up with that?
I'm happiest with Singleton and Cone in the TV booth, I guess. Do they ever team up just the two of them?
Yes, it's sweet when it's just Cone and Singleton calling the game. Tends to happen with the West Coast games, I think.
Cone and Singleton are my favorites.
To beg to differ about Flash. I find him accurate with his observations, excellent at predicting what pitch will be thrown. He doesn't have Kay's inflection, voice a bit flat. I also see him as self-deprecating, no way he's overconfident or prideful.
He can be self-depricating, good point, and he's not without intelligence. But I disagree about him being prideful. He's pretty good at hiding it but it leaks out. This wasn't pride, more envy, but Robinson Cano was mentioned during the broadcast over the weekend and Flaherty admitted to taking some pleasure in Cano's struggles simply because he'd made it look so easy for so long.
It may have been honest but it seemed small on his part.
Also, this spring, Flaherty talked about a kids basketball team he helped coach over the winter. Said they had a great season but lost the title game. He wasn't there for the final game. They showed a team picture and Flaherty pointed out his co-coaches and placed the blame on them for not winning the game. I thought he was joking, just busting their chops, but he was dead serious.
I could be wrong about him, but over time, I dig him less and less because of what I perceive to be a defensive, sour disposition.
[7] Agreed. I didn't like his comments on A-Rod earlier this year either. I think we all are on board with Singleton/Cone being the best team.