Season Over

The Good

We swept the Astro's to end the season, and gave our younger players a chance to stand out.  Pettitte pitched a complete game for a win, to give him an 11-11 record for the season and ensuring that he never had a losing season in his career.

The Bad

 Hafner got to play the last game of the season, going 0-4.  A fitting way to end this season.

The Ugly

This is the first time the Yankees have played meaningless games of baseball to close out a season since 1993, 2008.  The year Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain were the bulk of our rotation.  Also a year before we went on a spending spree and won our last championship.

Now we sit back, watch the playoffs, and wait for the hot stove season to kick off.

One More Before We Hit the Road

Reynolds hit one last homerun to end the season, which ends the year with $288 going to charity. 

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 7hr = $14
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 17hr = $34
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 3hr = $6
Alex Rodriguez 7hr = $14
Mark Reynolds 6hr = $12
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 144 hrs = $288

Fans Bid Farewell to Mo, Mo Cries about It

The Good

Since the Yankees are out of contention, we can really savor the meaning of this moment. For 19 years we have had the honor and opportunity to watch a giant in the sport of baseball, a sport itself defined by giants. For 19 years, We watched the broken bats and helpless swings and walks back to the dugout we knew would happen the moment the batter stepped into the box. Mo may not have been perfect, but he's been superhuman. Mariano, it's been a privilege.

The Bad

I now have to choose which team to root for in the playoffs. It's a bitter choice, like choosing which child of yours to punch in the face, only the right answer this time isn't 'all of them'. I'm leaning Detroit right now. That city's been through a lot and I've always like Leyland as a manager. Jury's still out though.

The Ugly

They never let Mo get an inning in center field. Racists.

The Children Want Their Money, Don't Make Them Break Your Thumbs

They'll do it too, but the Yankees seem to be asking for it. Stupid. I'm not even going to put the homer total down because that just infuriates the children more.

New York Times Publishes Racist Sports Article

So I was perusing the nation's paper of record, as I do every morning, when I came across this sports commentary comparing Evan Longoria and Robinson Cano.

As it turns out the virtuous (white) Longoria took a pay cut to remain with one team for his whole career. Playing with one team your whole career? That's an old school value, like grit and hustle, like Dustin Pedroia has.

Will Cano stay with one team his whole career? Especially now that the Yankees may not be able to guarantee annual contention? His black agent Jay-Z probably won't let him. Besides, Cano's probably too black for that sort of thing anyway. Bad news for virtue. Good news for the Dodgers.

The Yankees Are Officially Eliminated

The Good

The Yankees were eliminated last night, which may not sound like good news at first.  But consider that if Cleveland lost, and the Yankees won, we would have to keep pretending that we're in this race, and now that burden is removed.  Now I'm hoping we can get a longer look at some of our rookie pitchers, and perhaps see Mariano play centerfield.

An interesting thing to note, Eduardo Nunez hit .286 in August and has hit .305 in September.  He also hit a homerun last night. 

The Bad

Remember when we let Raul Ibanez walk in the off season?  He's hit 29 homeruns this year.  Just saying, it seemed like a no-brainer to bring back Ibanez, and now we may have been sitting in a very different place had we signed Ibanez instead of Hafner.

The Ugly

The one regret I have is that with Mariano and Pettitte retiring, it would have been nice to see them in one final playoff push. 

A Case for Charity

At the very least the rest of this season can have meaning for charitable causes.  Nunez' homerun adds $2 more for the Children's Health Fund.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 7hr = $14
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 17hr = $34
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 3hr = $6
Alex Rodriguez 7hr = $14
Mark Reynolds 5hr = $10
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

 

Total 143 hrs = $286

Reality Sets In

The Good

The Yankees didn't drag this out.

The Bad

It is what it is.  The only realistic scenario for the Yankees to make the playoffs began with sweeping Tampa Bay, something they failed at after the first game of the series.  Now we're technically not eliminated, but we would have to win every game, and have Cleveland and all the other competing teams lose every game.  Possible?  Yes.  Likely?  No.

The Ugly

The Yankees are playing like they've already been eliminated.  A 4 hit shutout by Tampa Bay, combined with another terrible outing out of Kuroda places the Yankees one loss away from elimination, but in their hearts, they've already been eliminated.

Not Last Night

My vote is for the Yankees to take the rest of the season to just swing for the fences.  What do they have to lose? 

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 7hr = $14
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 5hr = $10
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

 

Total 136 hrs = $272

Yankees Celebrate Mariano Rivera Day With a Loss

The Good

Pettitte carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning, and ended with 7 innings and 2-runs, which is a good start.  Mark Reynolds hit a homerun, and Cano had 3-hits which ups his next contract by at least half a million.

The Bad

The Yankees saddled Pettitte with a loss on a day when he pitched well, and they needed to win.  But as has been the case all year, this team folds under pressure, and nothing, not Granderson, not Soriano, not A-Rod could right this sinking ship.  The Yankees are not eliminated yet, but the only hope they have is a sweep of Tampa and a sudden psychological change that makes them think they're winners. 

The Ugly

It was a 2-1 game in the 8th of a must win game.  The Yankees got runners on second and third with 0 outs.  The tieing run just 90 feet away and the go-ahead run in scoring position, 3 outs still available.  What unfolded next can only be described as ugly.  Soriano hits a ground ball to third, no problem, it's just an out.  Well, it was a problem because Almonte who was at 3rd ran for home and got thrown out by a mile.  1 out, runners on first and second.  Granderson goes up and strikes out swinging, 2 outs.  Then Nunez does exactly what we needed him to, he hits a single to left field.  Cano is waved home, and promptly gets thrown out.  3 outs, no runs, best chance of a rally done in by poor base running decisions.

Reynolds Cares

Mark Reynolds hit a homerun, add $2. 

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 7hr = $14
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 5hr = $10
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 136 hrs = $272

Mathematically Possible

The Good

Kuroda put up a quality start, and Granderson hit a homerun.  Life appears to still flow out of the Yankees.  Also good, it's still mathematically possible for us to make the post season, and there's still an outside chance that the Yankees could catch on fire and play good baseball.  It's possible.

The Bad

The Yankees lost the rubber match against Toronto, leaving the Yankees 3.5 games out of the wild card.  At least we know Joba won't be back next year.

The Ugly

I bought tickets to Saturday's game in August thinking that the Yankees might be in contention, playing inspired baseball, and in easy reach of the wild card.  The Yankees still are in contention, and are not out of the wild card race, but they are not playing inspired baseball, as evidenced by a series loss to the last place team in our division.

A Little Hope

$2 from Granderson's homerun will go to support the children.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 7hr = $14
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 4hr = $8
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 135 hrs = $270

A Win

The Good

The Yankees won with an 8th inning, 4-run rally against Toronto.  The combination of Hughes and Huff as a single starter continues to bear good results.  7 innings and 3 runs is what we got out of them, and it is unlikely that we would be able to get that out of one of them.

The Bad

Yes the Yankees rallied in the 8th inning to top Toronto, but Toronto is the last place team in our division, so the fact that we were down 3-0 through 8 innings bears mentioning.

The Ugly

The fact that a win doesn't merit much confidence in this team should be fairly telling.  I know they're still in this wild card race, and could very well make it, but this team is fragile, and plays fragile baseball.  The result is that I'm left unimpressed when they rally against a last place team.

Power Outage

Maybe they're just saving the homeruns for the one game wildcard playoff.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 4hr = $8
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 134 hrs = $268

Well That Was A Waste of Time

The Good

Pettitte pitched well.  Might even be able to roll it into a contract for next year.

The Bad

The offense mustered 5 hits, only 1 for extra bases.  I would say that it had to do with RA Dickey's knuckleball, but we've seen this sort of weak hitting all year long, so I'm going to instead attribute it to the deficient lineup we put out every game.

The Ugly

If getting swept in Boston diminished any hopes of post season success, a 2-0 loss against the last place team in our division has diminished hopes of seeing any sort of post season baseball period.  It may very well be for the best, because who wants to see this team in the post season?  A fragile offense, a fragile psyche, and pitching that has run out of steam just wouldn't be fun to watch.  Now I'm all for a team getting on a hot streak at the right time and playing good baseball, but you would have hoped the Yankees to do this after the sweep in Boston.

Bombers for Poverty

A double was all they could muster, so $0 will be going to the babies.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 4hr = $8
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 134 hrs = $268

Weekend Recap: No Postseason for You!

The Good

Did anyone notice how clean the uniforms looked at the beginning of the games? Whoever is doing the laundry for these guys is exceptional.

The Bad

Remember when our starters were good? Just kidding they were never good. Except Kuroda and Nova, but now they're both bad. I guess making Phil Hughes our new pitching coach was a bad call.

The Ugly

You know who did have a good series in Boston? Joba. Are you #@$&ing kidding me?! Joba showed up to the Boston series? GTFOH. Also, having the chance to demonstrate some class, Boston decided to roast Mariano Rivera instead. I guess Boston is like school in the summer time, the worst place to be always.

Homers for No Reason

Somebody named Ryan who plays shortstop is the only player on the team who hit a home run this series. Now everyone drink.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 4hr = $8
Brendan Ryan 1hr = $2

Total 134 hrs = $268

Big Win in Baltimore

The Good

The Yankees were ahead most of the game, with homeruns from Reynolds and Granderson, plus a 2-run single from Wells leading the pack.  The combination of Hughes and Huff through the first 6 innings seemed to work really well.  Each got 3-innings, and each gave up 1 run.  In the end, it was like getting 6 innings of 2-run ball out of a starter, which we simply couldn't do if Hughes or Huff had been the sole game starter.  They may be onto something there.  In the 8th, with Robertson pitching, Soriano stole a homerun from Manny Machado.  It wouldn't matter in the end, since Robertson was set on giving up that lead, but in the moment it was pretty nice.

The Bad

Gardner came out of the game with a strained oblique.  I guess Cashman's decision to stockpile outfielders is now paying off.

The Ugly

After carrying a 5-2 lead into the 8th, Robertson gave up a 3-run homerun to tie the game.  It wouldn't haunt us in the end, since our offense came alive, and scored on a series of errors not unlike the Red Sox did to us a week back against Mariano.  Still, it's a little close for comfort, and therefore belongs in the ugly section.

More Money For Babies

Reynolds and Granderson's homeruns add $4 to the piggy banks of the babies over at CHF.  Hopefully, these babies have money managers, because parents are notorious for dipping into their kids coin jars.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 6hr = $12
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 4hr = $8

Total 133 hrs = $266

Yankees Take Game 3 Against O's

The Good

The Yankees came from behind to top the O's in game 3.  Cano, A-Rod, and Granderson all hit homeruns with Pettitte giving the team a quality 6.1 innings of 3-run ball.  We need a series win here, and we're now positioned for it.

The Bad

Mariano was shaky again.  He gave up 1 run, but still managed to close out the game.  He's been seeming a lot more hittable of late, which does not bode well for a fragile team in a wild card race.

The Ugly

Jeter is lost for the season.  We already hadn't seen him much this year to begin with, but at least with Jeter we had a major league bat, who wouldn't get overwhelmed by a playoff push.  Unfortunately, we'll have to see what he does next season.

Babies Benefitted

3 homeruns adds $6 to the babies cough syrup fund. 

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 27hr = $54
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 5hr = $10
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 6hr = $12
Mark Reynolds 3hr = $6

Total 131 hrs = $262

Yanks Take Second Game from Os

The Good

Soriano hit two home runs, Mo secured a four out save, and A-Rod continued to thrive in the two-spot.

The Bad

Nova did not pitch poorly, but we need more than 6 innings and 4 runs from our starters right now.

The Ugly

Austin Romine doesn't know where he is right now. Or his name. Or how he got here. He knows the weakness of every hitter on the Os. When he steps into the dugout, he starts looking for scouting binders and checking the sight lines toward the foul posts. He knows exactly how long it will take for him to throw to second, from home, with a runner advancing toward second base. Why does he know these things? Who does that?

Power Alleys

Soriano had two home runs. Mark Reynolds only had one. It's only a matter of time until Mr. Reynolds finds himself designated for assignment.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 15hr = $30
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 5hr = $10
Mark Reynolds 3hr = $6

Total 128 hrs = $256

Yankees Drop First Game Against Baltimore

The Good

Homeruns from A-Rod and Overbay made the Yankees feel young again.

The Bad

The Yankees took a loss after the Orioles exposed a deep-seeded flaw in the Yankees: we're not very good.

The Ugly

The truth is, this team can be better, and has played better in different stretches of this season.  Early August seemed to suggest that this very team can win games.  However, as we're fighting for a wild card spot, we look out matched, and frankly we lack fire, and confidence.  We just look like a team that's defeated.  We have to turn this around.

A Case for Charity

A-Rod and Overbay each hit homeruns to deliver $4 to the Children's Health Fund.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 14hr = $28
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 13hr = $26
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 5hr = $10
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 125 hrs = $250

Red Sox Weekend Recap

The Good

The Yankees scored a lot of runs over the weekend, and managed to avoid a sweep.  Overall, the Yankees were a huge disappointment.

The Bad

Two blown saves by Mariano led to one loss, and a near sweep this series.  It didn't much matter, because the Yankees looked dominated all series long.  They got some hits, and scored some runs, but the Yankees never seemed in control of a game, even when they had a lead.  It was embarrassing to watch this team over the weekend.

The Ugly

I was in the left field bleacher seats during the Saturday game this past weekend, and the one piece of advice I have is this: if a cop asks you to leave, don't tell them to make you.  This happened to a visibly drunk and belligerent fan sitting in my section, and at the end of the day, the cop can and will make you leave, and no one thinks you're a hero for taking a drunken stand against being tossed out. 

Were there homers at least?

Yes, one from Soriano.  The kids will have to feast on that for a little while.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 13hr = $26
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 13hr = $26
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 4hr = $8
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 125 hrs = $250

That Was Disappointing

The Good

After falling behind 7-2, the Yankees mustered a 7th inning rally, scored 6 runs, and gave the lead to Mariano in the 9th to shut it down.  Mariano had 2 outs, and 2 strikes in the 9th...

The Bad

Then everything fell apart.  A border line pitch that could have easily been strike 3 was called a ball.  Then Mike Napoli hit a single.  A pinch runner came in and went for second.  Romine threw the ball away, sending the pinch runner to third.  Then, the very next pitch was a single from Stephen Drew tying the game...

The Ugly

Then the game got ugly.  The Yankees had Cano, Soriano, and Granderson up to bat in the top of the 9th of a tied game in Yankee stadium.  It had walk-off written all over it.  Cano decides to swing at the first pitch, as he always does in big situations, and lines out to first.  One pitch, one out.  Soriano works a walk and steals second during Granderson's at bat.  Then Soriano decides to try to steal 3rd for reasons still unexplainable by human logic, and gets caught in a run down, and tagged out.  Very next pitch was a swinging strikeout of Granderson.  The Red Sox ended up taking the lead in the 10th on a throw to home by Ichiro that if handled by Romine could have been an out.  The Yankee offense went down quietly in the bottom of the 10th, and that was all she wrote.  We had this game in the bag, but a series of judgement errors and bad plays put this one in the L column.

No Homeruns

We had some clutch hits, but no homeruns.  Ironically, a homerun was all we would need to win, but it wasn't meant to be.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 13hr = $26
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 12hr = $24
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 4hr = $8
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 124 hrs = $248

That Was Close

The Good

We got from Sabathia what we've been looking for all year: a decent outing.  7.1 innings and 3 runs is pretty decent, despite the fact that the White Sox field a lineup reminiscent of the Yankees lineup circa June.

The most impressive piece of hitting came from Gardner who has been a clutch player this season.  He hit a 2-run triple in the 4th to put the Yankees up 5-1.  Cano also had a great game, making some nice plays in the field, and going 3-4 with a homerun.  Rivera locked down his 41st save of the season.

The Bad

After the Yankees went up 5-1, it seemed like the Yankees could manage a win here.  Girardi put in Robertson in the 8th to ensure the lead would be put in Mo's hands, but Robertson unraveled.  The White Sox scored a combined 4 runs in the 8th, and the Yankees were up 6-5.  Mo had to come in to give us a 4-out save.

The Ugly

Tonight we face the Red Sox, which should be an exciting game, but what we have in store for ourselves is 4 games of Yankees batters getting plunked, and not a single Yankee pitcher doing anything about it.  That is ugly.

Homerun Club Captain He Is

Robinson Cano hit a homerun last night.  As Homerun Club Captain he must have felt obligated.

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 26hr = $52
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 13hr = $26
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 12hr = $24
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 4hr = $8
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 124 hrs = $248

Late Game Heroics

The Good

The Yankees offense came alive in the 8th inning, scoring 5 runs and taking the lead from the White Sox, who up until that point had been dominating the Yankees.  No homeruns, just clean hits, well mostly clean hits, one of them came from A-Rod afterall.  Zing! 

Also good, it has been announced that Huff will be taking Hughes' next start in Boston.  I know that Hughes probably doesn't want to go to the bullpen, but I really believe he can thrive there.  It's certainly worth seeing if we may have a starter in Huff, and a dominant reliever in Hughes.

The Bad

Kuroda's start was numerically a step forward, but still not what we've grown accustomed to this season.  6.1 innings and 4 runs, doesn't crush us the way it used to, but one would hope that Kuroda can continue progressing. 

The Ugly

When asked if this start against the Red Sox would be the biggest of his career, Huff disagreed.  "No."  Said Huff.  "The biggest start of my career was the three county little league championship game.  I was pitching that day, and Jimmy's mom said she would buy us pizza and ice cream if we won.  So much pressure was on me.  If I pitch well, we get pizza and ice cream, if I lose we have to listen to coach's speech about how we're winners for trying, and we shouldn't do drugs, and we should excel in school and crap like that.  I really wanted that pizza, man, and I got it.  I still have dreams about it."

Homerless Yanks

6 runs, no jacks means no money for the kids.  For you math fans out there, that's 6 x 0 = 0. 

Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 25hr = $50
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 13hr = $26
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 12hr = $24
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 4hr = $8
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 123 hrs = $246

Yankees Celebrate Labor Day Weekend By Putting in Work

The Good

The Yankees took 3-4 games through labor day weekend, including 2-3 from wild card rival Baltimore Orioles.  The offense did some damage against the White Sox in game one of the series scoring 9 runs, without taking a single pitch out of the park. Nova pitched like a boss on Saturday putting in a complete game shutout of Baltimore.

The Bad

We had a legitimate chance of sweeping Baltimore, but the bullpen gave up 5 runs after Pettitte put in 6 innings of 2 run ball.  Our bullpen hasn't been the problem this year, but it would have been nice to hold onto that one.

The Ugly

Clive Carlton Sabathia.  12 wins, 11 losses, a 4.91 ERA, and a start this past Friday where he gave us 5.2 innings where he allowed 5 runs.  Something is up with him.  Whether it be injury, or age related diminished velocity, we really need Sabathia to figure it out for the month of September.  We need a little bit more out of our staff ace.

9 Runs Vs. Chicago!

But not a single homerun.  That's good news for the offense but bad news for the kids.  However, Soriano, Ichiro and Cano all hit homeruns this past weekend to give some hope to the children.


Travis Hafner 12hr = $24
Vernon Wells 11hr = $22
Brett Gardner 8hr = $16
Kevin Youkilis 2hr = $4
Jayson Nix 3hr = $6
Robinson Cano 25hr = $50
Ichiro Suzuki 7hr = $14
Lyle Overbay 13hr = $26
Brennan Boesch 3hr = $6
Francisco Cervelli 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 4hr = $8
Ben Francisco 1hr = $2
David Adams 2hr = $4
Curtis Granderson 4hr = $8
Mark Teixeira 3hr = $6
Zoilo Almonte 1hr = $2
Derek Jeter 1hr = $2
Alfonso Soriano 12hr = $24
Austin Romine 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1hr = $2
Alex Rodriguez 4hr = $8
Mark Reynolds 2hr = $4

Total 123 hrs = $246