There is a special kind of quiet that accompanies baseball in the middle of August. I noticed it on Monday night when I caught the first couple of innings of the Reds Cardinals game. It wasn’t silence more like white noise. There it was again last night at Yankee Stadium. Maybe it’s the Yankees–they are a mediocre team playing for a crowd accustomed to something better. Or maybe it’s just the time of year. People are on vacation, and even those of us who work each day, well, the pace is slower. It’s time for swimming and corn and tomatoes not for getting too excited.
There were moments for cheering, like when Martin Prado got a big, game-tying hit. And there was enough umph for booing too, which is what David Robertson heard as he walked off the field after giving up the 3-run homer that sunk the Yanks in the 9th. Robertson has been terrific this year and I only hope he didn’t take the boos personally. The outburst proved that not everyone was asleep.
Final Score: Astros 7, Yanks 4.
[Picture by Bags]
In the shadow of the executioner, some buck and scream. Some get quiet and still.
When police come upon a corpse they call it 3D. Definitely done dancing.
This team isn't unlike last years squad. They played above their heads for most of the season despite mounting injuries to the regulars, but couldn't keep it together for the whole season.
Most disconcerting is the offense. Tex was injured a bit, and Beltran is pretty banged up, but McCann and Ellsbury haven't lived up to expectations. Ellsbury has been good, but certainly not coming close to living up to his contract.
If the offense could have put up some better numbers, this patchwork pitching staff might have pulled them into the playoffs. But I don't think this team ever had the look of a champion.