"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Vin Scully, 1927-2022

I was nine years old when we moved to California in the summer of 1979. I had fallen in love with the Yankees two summers earlier on a trip to New York, so now I found myself three thousand miles and three time zones away from my favorite team. Cable sports networks and the internet hadn’t yet been imagined even in the wildest science fiction, so if I needed to know the Yankee score before the morning paper arrived the next day — and I always did — my only option was to listen to the Dodger game on the radio as I lay in bed.

In the beginning Vin Scully was simply a means to an end. If he didn’t share the out-of-town scores during the final innings, I’d try to stay awake for the postgame show.

Whether doing radio or television, Scully was that rare announcer who worked alone, providing the analysis to his own play by play, so instead of talking to a partner in the booth, he spoke to all of us. He spoke to me. (I’m sure this happened at other ballparks also, but Scully’s one-on-one connection with his listeners was so powerful and ubiquitous that Dodger fans were notorious for bringing their transistor radios to the stadium so they could still hear Vinnie call the game as it unfolded in front of them. Sometimes this would cause feedback during the broadcast, so it wasn’t uncommon to hear Mr. Scully politely ask the patrons below to turn down the volume.)

Like any announcer anywhere, Scully’s repertoire included a handful of phrases that would come up from time to time. If the Dodgers began mounting a rally after trailing throughout, he’d explain that this was the first time the Dodgers were “getting a look at the game.”

As I lay listening in the dark, Scully gave me a look at the game in a wider sense. Even as a boy I knew a fair amount about baseball, and Vin Scully was my guide as I travelled deeper into the game’s history. The wonderfully slow pace of the games allowed him to weave narratives throughout the course of inning, skillfully telling stories one pitch at a time. Davey Lopes would take a throw at second and fire to Steve Garvey to complete a double play, and suddenly I’d hear a story about how Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski would routinely catch a throw from his shortstop by pinning the ball against his closed glove with his bare hand to make for a faster exchange. Reggie Smith’s helmet would come off while rounding third, and it would remind Scully of how Willie Mays would wear his cap a couple sizes large so that it would come off every time he raced around the bases, a bit of gamesmanship that gave the crowd an extra few minutes to cheer and further rattle the opposing pitcher.

These were the bedtime stories I needed, told in the soothing voice of Southern California’s grandfather pulling memories from a lifetime of announcing baseball games. He called some of baseball’s most iconic moments — Henry Aaron’s 715th home run, Don Larsen’s perfect game, any number of World Series clinchers — and even made his presence felt in other sports. His was the voice describing Joe Montana’s pass to Dwight Clark to beat the Cowboys and send the 49ers to their first Super Bowl.

But I’d argue that his Hall of Fame career was built with smaller moments. Describing the ballet of a 6-4-3 double play, narrating a youngster’s efforts to finish a melting ice cream cone in the stands, opening each game by telling his audience, “It’s time for Dodgers baseball!”

Or teaching a nine-year-old boy all about the game.

Categories:  1: Featured  Hank Waddles  Obituaries

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281 comments

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1 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 3, 2022 12:34 am

Please do yourself a favor and read Jon Weisman's touching tribute. He does a better job than I did of explaining how much Vin Scully meant to Dodger fans. It's beautiful.

https://www.dodgerthoughts.com/2022/08/02/oh-vin-scully-farewell/

2 Shaun P.   ~  Aug 3, 2022 5:53 am

[1] Thanks for sharing your own beautiful tribute, Hank, as well as linking to Jon's. Though I mostly heard him via Serious games, All Star games, and Games of the Week, there is no doubt in my mind that Vin Scully was the voice of baseball. RIP.

3 weeping for brunnhilde   ~  Aug 3, 2022 7:29 pm

That was beautiful, Hank, and so apt.

Thank you.

And yes to all of that.

4 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 3, 2022 8:44 pm

[0] Fantastic. I first heard him, like many I imagine, on the NBC games. (Never knew it was him on the Montana-Clark TD!). Once mlb.com arrived here in Japan I would often have the Dodger games on in the background, with an 1100 AM start here they were perfect background to working, home or office. I remember my son coming in one day, hearing a story by Vin and saying, 'he sounds like a friendly teacher'. Exactly.

Yanks: WTF is up with Cole??

5 Greg G   ~  Aug 4, 2022 8:52 pm

Thanks Hank!

A beautiful tribute to Vin. I live in LA and watched quite a few Dodger games. His voice was so soothing and familiar.

For Dodger fans, he was like a family member like Rizzuto was for many of us.

Unlike Scooter, Vin didn’t leave before the game ended to beat the traffic. Maybe because there is always traffic in LA?

6 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 7:32 pm

Benintendi is now 1 for 21 with the Yankees.
I thought he hit a lot of line drives. Haven't seen more than a couple yet.

7 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 7:39 pm

Yeah, Benintendi is almost making me pine for Joey Gallo. Almost.

8 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 7:46 pm

Of course Hicks is 0 for 26.
And Donaldson not much better (but good job this evening so far).

9 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:05 pm

‘Lars Nootbar’..?? That and the ‘’JesusGetsUs.com’ ad behind home plate, St.Louis in the house!

10 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:16 pm

Not sure who this Donaldson character is.

11 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:19 pm

So, out of what, half a dozen RISP opportunities, only Donaldson can get it done? Or more than that?

12 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:24 pm

I'd really like to see a bunch of runs. I need a relaxing game that I don't really need to pay attention to.

13 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:50 pm

[9] Nootbaar! You shortchanged him by one 'a'! I bet you never called Hank "Henry Aron"!

It's an awesome name though. I wonder if they ever call him 'Snickers' in the clubhouse.

14 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:53 pm

This is not Gleyber Day.

15 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 8:53 pm

Aggressive base-running.

16 RIYank   ~  Aug 5, 2022 9:13 pm

Aggressive... base... running.
(Wordpress wouldn't let me say the same thing again.

17 knuckles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 9:14 pm

More outs on the base paths, shades of 2021…

When Hicks is on, his swing and upright stance have a little bit of Griffey Jr. in them. But when he’s not…man, there is a lot going on and it’s not good.

18 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 9:39 pm

[7] Hicks is making me pine for Joey Gallo.

19 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 9:39 pm

More runs please.

20 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 9:55 pm

Effing Effross gets it done.

21 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:20 pm

Grrrrrrrr.

22 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:23 pm

This team is starting to fray at the edges.

23 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:23 pm

No way they are winning this.

24 knuckles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:36 pm

Wasted chances equals wasted game.

25 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:36 pm

Well, at least the last AB was exciting.

26 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:37 pm

*Make that the last half inning.

27 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 5, 2022 10:38 pm

Things are starting to get a bit concerning.

28 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 5, 2022 11:07 pm

[27] Don't worry, we have Boot Boy waiting in the wings to save our season. ;>)

29 rbj   ~  Aug 6, 2022 6:26 pm

Ah, Gumby.

30 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 6, 2022 7:29 pm

Wow, nice play!

31 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 6, 2022 7:38 pm

This is all getting pretty tiresome. It’s like I went to sleep and woke up in 2021.

32 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 7:59 pm

These Fox broadcasts are the worst.
It seems like they are doing everything but talking about the game that's actually being played.
Makes me so angry.

On the other hand, German is pitching OK. Where are the runs?

33 rbj   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:01 pm

Yeah, I’m not in favor of this no offense strategy.

34 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:04 pm

Gumby's out already. Jay-sus. This might be his best game all year! ;>)

35 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:10 pm

JFC!

36 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:13 pm

I watched episodes 3 and 4 of The Captain today. If you've been on the fence to watch it you're missing out. It's amazing to take out all those games and seasons from 1998 - 2004 and reminisce where I was in life. Episode 4 ended with the 03 Serious after the Boone game 7 Homer. I spent 5 minutes trying to remember who the Yankeee played in the Serious. Then the clips began and thought, oh yeah. We all blocked it out for a many reasons. Jeter is pretty damn funny.

37 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:36 pm

Who wouldn't rather see Florial or Andujar instead of Hicks?
Hicks had become an albatross for this team.

38 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:37 pm

[36] I've only watched the first two episodes, but I loved it for the reasons you mention. Just a great trip down memory lane. I'm looking forward to getting to the rest of it.

39 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:38 pm

[37] I really feel bad for Hicks. I loved when they picked him up, I loved when they gave him that long term deal, but he's done nothing since then. And he's from right here in Long Beach! But you're right -- it's time.

40 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:42 pm

[39] He seems to have a lot of good vibes on the team and with the fan base....but he needs a swing doctor or something.

What gets me is why the Yankees are unwilling to give their young outfielder's a shot. Cashman's pride? Structural incompetence? It boggles the mind.

41 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 8:58 pm

Man, this sucks.
What were the chances that Germán would pitch this well and the offense would totally abandon him?

42 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:12 pm

I don't even recognize this team. With so many holes in the lineup right now -- basically everyone but LeMahieu and Judge -- there's no reason to pitch to those two guys and no reason for us to hope for anything from the other seven. Intellectually I know that this will change. Stanton will come back, Rizzo will come back, Torres will find his swing, but it sucks to watch right now.

43 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:18 pm

Well that was exciting.

Without Stanton around, though, this line up is missing some teeth.
When Judge makes an out all hope flies out the window.

44 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:19 pm

[42] Sorry, didn't see your post.

Rizzo's back is a HUGE problem and may not go away.

45 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:21 pm

Josh loves watching those strike 3s.

46 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:21 pm

Sorry Is this the Cardinals home announcers feed? Could they be more excited about the Cards shutting out the Yanks?

47 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:23 pm

Rock bottom?

48 rbj   ~  Aug 6, 2022 9:25 pm

Yup, a shutout loss., thanks Cashman.

49 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 7, 2022 11:47 am

Not that I'm not concerned, but if rock bottom is a double-digit division lead, we should all be so lucky to have rock bottom moments like this.

Also, it's pretty shocking that this team still has the best record in the American League.

50 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 1:23 pm

Nice ovations for Carpenter.

51 mhoward120   ~  Aug 7, 2022 2:18 pm

Months looks like he’s in the crapper like so many other starters.

52 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 2:18 pm

Good thing Molina can’t run.

53 mhoward120   ~  Aug 7, 2022 2:21 pm

Bad thing Hicks can’t throw - or use his head.

54 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 2:22 pm

Grrr.

55 mhoward120   ~  Aug 7, 2022 2:24 pm

Looks like we sure did well in substituting Montas for Monty.

56 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 7, 2022 3:31 pm

It’s like they WANT their jobs to be taken away. Hickox is flipping a coin back there.

57 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 3:33 pm

Yay Judge!

58 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 7, 2022 3:38 pm

Why does baseball continue putting guys behind the plate who don’t know the strike zone? They tell us that they’re evaluated after every game, but what’s the point? It’s stupid.

59 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 7, 2022 3:55 pm

Not the best afternoon for Ed Hickox.

60 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 3:57 pm

Infuriating.

61 rbj   ~  Aug 7, 2022 5:31 pm

Sigh. I give up.

62 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 7, 2022 9:53 pm

Three winnable games. It seems like they were winning most of these types of games before July.

63 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 8:58 pm

3 games at SafeCO with 1110am start time here in Japan, perfect for a summers day. Judge always seems to hit well here, hope he goes yard a few times!

64 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 9:00 pm

Sorry 'T-Mobile Park', mixing up my boring corporate sponsor names!

65 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 9:22 pm

Nice start, 2-0 Yanks! Seems plenty NYY fans in the park, poor Mariners. Even in a 'good' year they got opposing team fans invading.

66 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 9:57 pm

Josh, by gosh!

67 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 9:59 pm

But Carp is hurt.
No Carp, Rizzo and Stanton....oy vey.

68 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:02 pm

Wow. That seemed like a HORRIBLE send of Gleyber. I suppose fortune does favor the bold sometimes.

69 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:10 pm

Rucco's love of The Godfather is annoying AF.

I've heard him talk about movies on podcasts. His general knowledge of cinema is quite shallow, which is why this annoys me.

70 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:20 pm

rucco is the worst-- when him and maybin are doing games it truly feels like the broadcast is aimed for children. ive started just muting and listening to music while watching instead, way better :)

71 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:24 pm

MLB has sold out the gaming (gambling) industry, yet Pete Rose is still not in the Hall. You can't make this stuff up.

(I'm referring to the constant Fandl betting line commercials between innings)

72 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:30 pm

Did you hear Rose on the Phillies broadcast yesterday? He dropped a "cockhigh high fastball" and an "oh, shit" while sounding wasted.

73 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:39 pm

⬆️What were they thinking putting 82-yr old Pete on the air??

Boat & Spring, I like Ruocco & Maybin! I find Kay and O’Neil increasingly to be worst of all the YES combos

74 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:46 pm

[70] I'd love to Meredith in the booth doing play-by-play. She has the flow. What's the hold up?

75 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:48 pm

[73] He's always been a bit of an ass-hat, but the Hall of Fame is full of them.

76 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:49 pm

Andrew finally getting his groove. Woo-Hoo.

77 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:51 pm

Isn’t Meredith the natural successor to Suzan on the radio? Sterling already limiting his games this season too

78 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 10:56 pm

[74] I meant "love to hear" in case anyone thought I was being freaky.

79 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:01 pm

(78) No one would ever think YOU were being freaky, Boat!
Still only top 5th? I got some work to get to unfortunately..

80 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:03 pm

[79] No doubt.
I walk the line.

81 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:08 pm

Man, this game is dragging. I like the results so far, but....

82 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:18 pm

Fractured left foot for Carpenter! He’s out for at least how many weeks, 6??

83 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:38 pm

Seems like Boonie milking Tallion too much on this game?
Save some bullets, dude.

84 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:40 pm

[82] He's toast. We now have 2 Boot Boys.
Will we ever see Florial, FFS?

85 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:43 pm

Jaysus, Hickies' OPS is still below .700.

86 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 8, 2022 11:48 pm

Chappie is coming in. Hold on to your hats.

87 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 9, 2022 12:21 am

The ‘O’ has broken out, good start to the road trip in the dog days.
Stay safe, Boat! Know 7 people now who caught the Big C here..

88 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 9, 2022 12:32 am

This game is still going on?!
I just had lunch after the top of the 9th come back and....

89 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 9, 2022 12:33 am

[87] Thanks dude, I had it already. Back in Feb.
3 vaxes and the real thing. I'm bullet proof!

90 YankInEugene   ~  Aug 9, 2022 10:46 am

Heading to Seattle today to catch tomorrow's game. Looking forward to seeing Cortez the Killer on the mound.

91 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 9, 2022 3:22 pm

[90] Excellent! For a while I was thinking about making the trip to Seattle for these games, also. Seattle is a great city, but I've never been to a game there. Closest I came was a family sprint past the park as we tried (unsuccessfully) to catch our train at the station next door.

I'm selfishly excited for next year's balanced schedule because it means more opportunities to see the Yanks out here on the West Coast. That might mean a road trip to Arizona or San Diego or even Colorado, but that'll just add to the fun. Looking forward to it.

92 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 9, 2022 10:19 pm

Good to see Adújar on the field again.

93 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 9, 2022 10:52 pm

Listening on radio, is Castillo this good or do we just miss Rizo, Stanton and Carpenter??

94 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:07 pm

[93] He's that good. Remember what happened in Cincinnati?

95 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:12 pm

Just for fun, I’m predicting that Andújar goes deep.

96 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:13 pm

But going shallow might also be good.

97 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:47 pm

These relievers these days..yikes..

98 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:48 pm

Wait, Holmes is warming up???

99 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:56 pm

Gleyber Glove!!

100 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 9, 2022 11:59 pm

just tuning in, thought id missed the game entirely so happy to be seeing some extra innings

Show/Hide Comments 101-200
101 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:05 am

Disaster.

102 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:07 am

What the hell happened there

103 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:08 am

I don’t mind the aggressive base running decisions, like calling a double steal there. It’s the poor execution. They’ve given away several outs recently by taking off before the pitcher commits to the plate. This one could (probably) cost them the game.

104 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:09 am

Not sure what Sewald is celebrating there. The Yankees gift wrapped that for him.

105 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:10 am

⬆️ These are playoff games for the M’s

106 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:14 am

True.

107 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:16 am

When I first saw Benintendi, I thought he would be an excellent player, along the lines of Paul O'Neil. But I guess not.

108 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:17 am

I still don’t get why road teams don’t automatically walk somebody to fill that empty base when they don’t have a lead.

109 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:20 am

i know andujar struck out there, but im glad to see him back. what do you all think of him? there is a confidence he seems to have, at least in the batters box that i like a lot. i like that he hits for doubles. ive been watching the espn series on jeter and he seems like someone who would've been in those teams (soriano comes to mind for some reason). maybe ive lost the plot lol

110 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:23 am

⬆️ I like him too! Don’t see the point of not giving him more ABs to replace Hicks

111 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:24 am

Tejada wasn’t scoring there anyway. Huge mistake.

112 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:24 am

wow right on queue andujar not helping my case. still like him though!

113 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:25 am

Keystone Kops baserunning again!

114 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:25 am

I just confused my Miguels.

115 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:25 am

is anyone else watching the Jeter series? the old footage is really incredible-- its made me think jeter a lot cooler (less boring than id thought) and more in touch with new york/nightlife stuff in a way i didnt realize, some interesting photos and archived videos of him at the club with diddy and that sort of thing.

116 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:32 am

Not seen the Jeter doc yet, will have to wait till it gets streamed somewhere here

117 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:33 am

I don’t believe. What I just saw.

118 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:34 am

Young Yankees radio guy: ‘Is that walk up music the Alan Parsons Project?’
Suzyn: ‘Oh, I love the Alan Parsons Project’

……??????????

119 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:34 am

As for the Jeter “documentary,” it’s excellent. A must watch for all Yankee fans. It’s 90% nostalgia and only 10% new insight, but that’s good enough for me.

120 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:37 am

mr ok jazz, are u listening on the radio while watching simultaneously or just radio? as i keep saying on here (and promise wont say again bc i dont want to be too annoying) i really cant stand rucco and maybin. if i could sync up radio with the broadcast that would be the best

121 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:38 am

Now I really don’t believe what I’m seeing. This is Little League.

122 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:39 am

Hi Springdeeds, rare day at the office today so I’m listening to the radio only, on my phone
WTF is up with the baserunning..????????????????

123 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:40 am

wild

124 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:41 am

So the Yankees have sent four batters to the plate — TOTAL in the last two innings. Must be a first.

125 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:43 am

Here’s the other thing the Yankees have accomplished — they played three extra innings without Judge getting to the plate.

126 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:55 am

looking at trivino's "56", tanyon sturtze just popped into my head. remember tanyon sturtze?

127 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:58 am

This game is stupid.

128 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 12:59 am

I was trying to remember Tanyon Sturtz the other day. He was the one who got shelled in the World Series, then shrugged his shoulders and said, “At least I can say I pitched in a World Series game.” Captain Jeter did not approve.

129 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:00 am

2:00 AM here in New York. Can't believe I'm up watching the Yankees play Seattle in August, but this is what we do, huh?

130 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:01 am

There's the intentional walk you were talking about, Hank.

131 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:03 am

I like how the Yankees are refusing to bunt because they don’t want to play for just a single run even though THERE HAVE BEEN NO RUNS SCORED IN THIS GAME.

132 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:04 am

Benintendi not swinging there and then arguing balls and strikes seems a bit embarrassing.

133 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:06 am

Yankees are gonna score some runs here, then the Mariners will match it to keep this game going. Book it.

134 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:07 am

Holy shit!!!! Are these guys just stupid?

135 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:09 am

Just unbelievable.

136 OldYanksFan   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:10 am

Ted Williams said "Wait for a good pitch to hit".
As opposed to swing at everything within 5 inches of the plate.

137 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:10 am

If this game gets to the 14th they should just start with the bases loaded.

138 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:11 am

This is numbing my brain.

139 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:11 am

Gleyber’s at bat was just awful. If there was ever a time to wait for the first called strike, that was it.

140 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:12 am

What’s the longest extra inning game that was 0-0 before someone scored?

141 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:13 am

Loaisiga and his 6.66 ERA brought in for the THIRTEENTH inning? Two bad signs.

142 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:14 am

They said this was the longest scoreless game since the ghost runner rule.

143 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:19 am

Oh well….

144 Springdeeds   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:20 am

OK I get to go to bed now-- 2:20 New York time. Have a nice night everyone.

145 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:21 am

Four hours I’ll never get back.
But I take the blame for the loss. When it was 0-2 I said to my son, “I want the Yankees to win, but really I just want someone to score so this game will be over.” The words were still lingering in the air as that line drive found the grass.

146 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 1:21 am

But thanks for the company, everyone.

147 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 5:03 pm

Higgy!

148 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 5:09 pm

Judge!!

149 rbj   ~  Aug 10, 2022 5:14 pm

Oh, afternoon game.

150 mhoward120   ~  Aug 10, 2022 5:14 pm

This might turn out out to be an an all-time great season for Judge

151 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 10, 2022 5:34 pm

Nestor deserved so much better. This eighth inning dissolved quickly, but there was the passed ball from Higgy, which looked more like a ball going through his webbing, then the next batter took a 2-2 pitch in the corner — the actual corner, not the one in the opposite batter’s box that had been called consistently all afternoon. It was inexplicably called a ball, then the 3-2 pitch was an RBI single that pushed Nestor from the game. It’s a shame.

152 YankInEugene   ~  Aug 11, 2022 10:55 pm

[90] Yes Hank T-Mobile is a beautiful ballpark with not a bad seat in the house. Even the Bullpen is in a great place. I remember going to a few games in Mo's last year and when he got up to pitch, fans flocked to get a view of the great one. I wish they'd put an MLB team in Portland. There are a lot of Yankee Fans in the Pacific Northwest.

153 rbj   ~  Aug 12, 2022 6:15 pm

Hmm, MLBN is supposed to have the game, but it’s blacked out. I’m in Virginia.

154 rbj   ~  Aug 12, 2022 6:20 pm

Yay, Rizzo.

155 rbj   ~  Aug 12, 2022 6:23 pm

Ouch, Tatis busted for PEDs. 80 games and no post season this year. Hurts the Padres

156 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 12, 2022 6:36 pm

Oof. WTF, Tatis? Sucks for them. The Captain update: I watched episode 5 yesterday which started with the 2004 ALCS. I've spent 18 years avoiding that series like the plague. It was FUCKING BRUTAL. I almost fast forwarded it

157 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 6:37 pm

It seems so right that Tommy Pham is playing for the Red Sox.
He's loathsome.

158 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:00 pm

Tatis saying he took some medication for ringworm and it had the banned substance in it..

159 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:00 pm

O’Neil will get his number retired but can’t be inside the YES booth for an interview that day due to vax regulations, awkward..

160 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:05 pm

All Rise!!!

161 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:06 pm

46.
But goddamit, I really wanted DJ to get on with two out in the second. THAT would have been fun.

162 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:07 pm

[159] Wait Paul is not vaccinated???

163 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:08 pm

Cripes. Does he have some legitimate reason???

164 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:09 pm

⬆️No, didn’t you notice he’s never in the booth and has to broadcast from his home? Not a surprise given what we know about him away from baseball..but anyways, the ceremony will be a little odd as apparently he can’t join the YES booth that day

165 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:11 pm

I guess that's right.
Maybe this is unfair but I don't think I'm going to be able to enjoy listening to him anymore.

166 rbj   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:11 pm

46.

167 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:11 pm

Oh good.
Aggressive base running.

168 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:13 pm

RIYank, I think it’s perfectly fair :) Same with Smoltz for me, I can’t get past the non-baseball stuff anymore, but that’s (comment redacted for Banter guidelines violation)

169 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:18 pm

Oh, well, I never liked Smoltz anyway. :)

It's amazing, but Tommy Pham is actually a huge upgrade over Jackie Bradley Jr.

Although, JBJ is super-likable and I actually rooted for him to be a good MLB player. So not an upgrade in that way.

170 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:23 pm

I did not know that about O'Neill. Sigh.

171 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:27 pm

Hix with a hit! Rejoice!

172 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:29 pm

DJ is ruining everything today.

173 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:35 pm

The O'Neill ceremony promises to be awkward. No current players will involved because they can't risk contact with him. Normally we'd see Judge or someone out on the field to help with the presentation, but not this time. I'm guessing they'll have him walk out from centerfield like they did with the Old Timers, and maybe even exit the same way. It's silly. They should just tell him to stay home.

174 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:38 pm

Regarding Judge's home run... I was listening in the car and it was the Boston feed. They were blown away, saying it was one of the longest balls they've ever seen hit in Fenway, comparing it to one hit by McGwire. When the estimate came in at 429 feet, they started laughing.

175 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:40 pm

Hah.
I probably should be watching NESN. My usual MLB.TV is blacked out here, but I went and found a (perhaps not fully licit) alternative online YES feed.

176 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:46 pm

Hank, I was thinking the same thing, there’s no WAY that was only 429. Curious how Statcast calculates the trajectories on home runs as seems very inconsistent

177 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:46 pm

RIYank, an illicit YES feed, does that feature tbh mythical ‘John & Suzyn After Dark’ segment where they read racy fan letters?

178 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:52 pm

Oh, well, no -- that would be an illicit FAN feed! No but this will have Michael Kay's "Only Fans" during the seventh inning stretch.

179 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:53 pm

Jarren Duran is terrible.
But he might be good some day. He REALLY should be playing in Worcester now.

180 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 7:56 pm

(178) of of course they’re not on YES!
Michael Kay’s Only Fans…just put me off my breakfast now with that image..

181 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:00 pm

With Flash, in the hot tub!

182 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:13 pm

A-Rod & Jeter are going to be on Sunday night? Wonder if I can access that from here somehow

183 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:17 pm

You can but you do need the Only Fans sub for that. They're having a sleepover.

184 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:21 pm

⬆️I’ll look for it Monday AM here!
Are there a LOT of Yankee fans in Fenway for this game??

185 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:22 pm

[178] My favorite type of licit.

186 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:26 pm

One thing that I haven't heard mentioned about Judge's phenomenal season: if it weren't for Minnesota's Luís Arraez, who's running away with the batting title at .333, Judge would have a legitimate shot at the triple crown.

Home Runs
1. Judge 46
2. Alvarez 31

RBIs
1. Judge 100
2. Ramírez 92
3. Alvarez 74

Batting
1. Arraez .333
2. Devers .307
3. Bogaerts .307
4. Gurriel .306
5. Benintendi .305
6. Judge .305

187 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:28 pm

JFC. Those 2 strikeouts are going to bite them in the ass.

188 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:50 pm

The one thing that keeps me from panicking about these last six weeks is the reemergence of Aroldis Chapman. Just dominant right there. Was it against the bottom of the lineup? I don't care.

189 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:58 pm

Yeah.
I agree, it was against bad hitters. But actually Pham was the leadoff batter.
Anyway I don't hold my breath when Chapman enters the game anymore.

190 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 8:58 pm

Jesus.

191 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:01 pm

Is Holmes unreliable now?

192 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:03 pm

[191] I don't consider him to be reliable. ERA over nine in his past ten games.

193 BobbyB   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:03 pm

Christ Holmes. Throw strikes!

194 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:03 pm

Oy.

195 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:05 pm

But as much as he's struggling right here, he's a pitch away from a double play.

196 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:09 pm

Sigh.

197 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:09 pm

Not reliable.

198 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:09 pm

He was also a pitch away from a blown save.

199 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:09 pm

Late hook from Boone as usual, should have yanked him after the second walk

200 RIYank   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:11 pm

All those LOB. Man.

Show/Hide Comments 201-281
201 BobbyB   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:11 pm

Shouldn’t have ever brought him in. He’s done this every game for a month.

202 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:11 pm

So one out, two walks and a single allowed for Clay Holmes. He just isn't the same.

203 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:14 pm

I feel better about Peralta in this situation than I did about Holmes with the bases empty.

204 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:27 pm

First half Yankees found ways to win.
You know the rest.

205 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:33 pm

They are retiring O'Neill's number? I understand Bernie being only a Yankee, but I don't really like that move. I would prefer Posada over O'Neill.

206 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:42 pm

Here's a mind-boggling fact that's contributed mightily to this slide: the Yankees haven't scored in seven consecutive extra innings. Unfathomable.

Also, if you want to know the difference between the Good Yankees and the Bad Yankees, you look up their record in one-run games in April, May, and June, and then compare it to July and August.

Just looked it up:
14-4 through June 18.
7-14 since.

207 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:43 pm

Clay Holmes was a huge part of that, obviously. He was the best reliever in baseball, and now he can't hold a lead. Also, here's another fun stat: Gleyber Torres is hitting .194 with runners in scoring position this season.

208 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 12, 2022 9:45 pm

Clay Holmes.
First 38 games: 3 runs, 6 walks, 0.46 ERA
Last 11 games: 11 runs, 10 walks.

You simply can't put him out there right now. I can understand that you'd be tempted to remember those first 38 games and how dominant he was, but that's far in the rearview mirror right now.

209 YankInEugene   ~  Aug 12, 2022 11:35 pm

Fuc##g Boone. Why didn't he keep Chapman in for the 9th with Holmes struggling? Nope gotta go with the binder. Boone's a terrible manager, but I guess we're stuck with him.

210 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 13, 2022 4:58 am

[209] Even worse, we are stuck with Cashman, who is a horrible GM and is making a lot of decisions that are hurting the team more than Boone, who is his boy.

Cash could never work with a dude like Buck, who wouldn't be able to work with Cashman either.

211 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 6:39 pm

Aggressive base running. Awesome.

212 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 13, 2022 6:53 pm

The Red Sox always seem to have a lot of players with tree trunks for legs. It probably is just because of the white pants and red jerseys.

213 rbj   ~  Aug 13, 2022 7:23 pm

Tight strike zone tonight

214 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 7:33 pm

Good lord.

215 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 7:47 pm

I have decided to ACCEPT that IKF dinger!

216 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 8:46 pm

Ah, right.
Bring in a lefty to hit the lefty.

217 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 8:48 pm

Hm. Okay, forgiven!

218 RIYank   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:05 pm

I am deeming Chapman to be officially Back.

219 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:11 pm

Just tuned in for Small Ball!

220 rbj   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:14 pm

Falafel strikes again

221 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:32 pm

Take the win!

222 rbj   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:33 pm

Good win.

223 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:34 pm

I like Effros. He's spunky

And 3 cheers for [219] small ball.

224 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 13, 2022 9:43 pm

Really any win will do at this point, but this was a good one. And love the safety squeeze!

225 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 6:05 pm

ESPN game, at least Cone is in the booth. And Perez isn’t bad.

226 YankInEugene   ~  Aug 14, 2022 6:31 pm

Damn ESPN.Every time the game is on the 4 letter network it's blacked out on MLBTV. Fox doesn't even do that.

227 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 6:50 pm

Talking to a player who’s on the field has got to be distracting

228 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 14, 2022 6:57 pm

I liked it in the all-star game. Not sure I like it when the game counts.

229 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:01 pm

Well that worked out OK.

230 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:07 pm

It's really quite stunning how many times this lineup has gone hitless deep into games this season.

231 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:12 pm

Gleyber now 0 for his last 21.

232 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:13 pm

Yay, a hit.

233 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:16 pm

[225] They've certainly gotten a lot better since the days of Kruk, Morgan or Schilling..!

234 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:18 pm

Le sigh.

235 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:22 pm

Anyone watching the KayCast? Worth switching over?

236 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:27 pm

They are not showing much of the game on KayCast.

237 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:35 pm

[223] I miss the Fire Joe Morgan site.

238 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:36 pm

Gatorade still has the Tatis commercial.

239 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:38 pm

Err, 233.

240 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:40 pm

If Tatis did have ringworm, where’s the doctor’s diagnosis, where’s the prescription.

Plus run it by the team doctor before taking any medicine unless it’s an emergency.

241 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:43 pm

Crap

242 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:47 pm

[240] This is exactly what I've been saying. Essentially his excuse means one of two things. Either one, he's treating himself; or two, the Padres staff gave him medication with a banned substance. Both of these reflect poorly on the Padres, but they can't really say anything about it without telling the world that their franchise player lied about what happened. It's a mess.

243 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:51 pm

[237] Yes! They were amazing, imagine what they'd have done in the current climate in the US.. (btw, anyone ever seen Curt Schilling's Twitter feed? Politics aside, he seems very mentally unbalanced..)

Devers: how have the BoSox not signed him to a huge deal yet??

244 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 7:55 pm

0 for 22.

245 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 14, 2022 8:12 pm

I don't want to be a Negative Neddy but damn, the Yankees look way, way behind Houston and L.A. right now.

246 rbj   ~  Aug 14, 2022 8:27 pm

Blergh.

247 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 14, 2022 8:36 pm

[245] Yeah, I'm doing my best to stay positive also. The good news, though, is that there are a lot of numbers indicating that this is an extraordinarily unlucky stretch. According to run differential, for example, they should have 80 wins instead of 72. No one in baseball has that wide a gap between actual wins and expected. And if you look at the the way the games have gone, their hitting and pitching just doesn't seem to match up anymore. When the hitters hit, the pitchers can't get anyone out. When the pitchers are on their game, the hitters disappear.

Also, I heard a ridiculous number yesterday. Two thirds of their losses have been by three runs or less, which would apparently be a record. Their recent lack of success in one-run games has been well documented.

Some of this is luck, some of this is because Stanton hasn't played in three weeks, Torres hasn't gotten a single hit in the past week, and Rizzo seems off. Donaldson and Hicks haven't done anything significant all season, but that didn't matter when the other seven batters in the order were taking care of business. In June it didn't seem like pitchers had anywhere to hide, but now the only innings that matter are the ones when LeMahieu and Judge come up. I have to believe that that's going to change. Things will get better.

248 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 15, 2022 7:09 pm

Hicks looking like me out there in CF..

249 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 7:29 pm

I just feel like Hicks is gonna come through here.

250 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 7:31 pm

Wow.
Well, there ya go. Feelings don't count for a huge amount in baseball.

251 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 7:33 pm

So, for the record:
Two base runners in the first,
two base runners in the second,
two base runners in the third,
three base runners in the fourth...
no runs.

252 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 15, 2022 7:33 pm

I mean…

253 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 15, 2022 8:15 pm

It’s almost comical at this point.

254 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Aug 15, 2022 8:22 pm

⬆️What can they do to bring some life back to the lineup till Stanton gets back?

255 rbj   ~  Aug 15, 2022 8:27 pm

Is it possible to win a game 0 to -1? Asking for a friend.

256 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 15, 2022 8:35 pm

It isn’t IKF’s fault, but maybe they should just bring up Peraza to see what happens. I mean, the result won’t be negative runs, right?

257 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 15, 2022 8:55 pm

Just tuned in. Fucking Bollocks!

258 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:02 pm

Taylor Wallis has an ops of .563. I think it's okay to throw him some strikes.

259 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:07 pm

Well, that's the game.
I felt like *maybe* we could get a run, but *two*??? Not a chance.

260 RIYank   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:13 pm

Four yeah no.

261 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:35 pm

That’s the weirdest thing. Right now it’s hard to imagine this team scoring any runs. When Judge went down in the eighth, the game was essentially over.

262 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:36 pm

Yanks are down to challenging on play where a runner perhaps eluded a tag but was then clearly tagged out.

Let's go Mets! They are NYC's only hope right now.

263 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 15, 2022 9:38 pm

[261] Not only went down, he hit in to a soul crushing double play.
When Judge does something like that all hope is lost.

264 rbj   ~  Aug 16, 2022 6:15 pm

That’s not the way you want to start. An Earl Weaver special.

265 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 6:16 pm

Jesus, this game is over already.

266 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 16, 2022 6:30 pm

Beginning to wonder if this team is ever going to win again. Even bad teams win by accident.

267 rob_smith_51   ~  Aug 16, 2022 6:47 pm

It seems like a while since they have scored. Judge is good for a HR every few games.

268 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 6:55 pm

According to the YES booth we are supposed to feel sorry for Hicks now. Dude had not produced all year. He's not in a bad stretch, he's just bad.

269 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:03 pm

Bench Donaldson already.

270 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:06 pm

They're not even trying.

271 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:07 pm

Tune in to see Gleyber not giving a shit about catching the ball on a stolen base. WTF!

272 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:13 pm

This team needs a Jimmy Carter malaise speech.

273 rbj   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:24 pm

More errors than hits doesn’t make me happy.

274 rbj   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:29 pm

Hey, that’s one of them whatchamacallits.

275 rbj   ~  Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm

Nice CS, Trevino.

276 Ara Just Fair   ~  Aug 16, 2022 8:23 pm

A worse strike 3 swing you will not see. Thanks, Miggy! : /

277 mhoward120   ~  Aug 16, 2022 8:36 pm

Does anyone know of a betting site that’ll give odds on both the Yankees and Blue Jays losing all 4 games this weekend?

278 Boatzilla   ~  Aug 16, 2022 8:44 pm

Well, that's it.
I see that taking a nap doesn't even work anymore.

279 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 16, 2022 8:53 pm

Two months ago I was worried that only a World Series win would validate this season. Now I’m hoping to see them score a few runs. That’s really all I ask.

280 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 16, 2022 9:01 pm

I feel like I need to step away from this team for a bit.

281 Hank Waddles   ~  Aug 16, 2022 9:34 pm

Courtesy of Katie Sharp:

Yankees last 7 Games: 9 runs, 35 Hits

This is the first time in franchise history the Yankees have had any 7-game stretch with 9 or fewer runs and 35 or fewer hits.

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