Well That Wasn't Fun

The Good

Cano's 3 hits, put him at .300 for the season, and Martin's 2 hits kept him above .200 for the season.  We may be grasping at straws here, but straws look like gold after yesterdays game!

The Bad

The 5 hits by Cano and Martin were all the Yankees could muster yesterday.  Between age, and the high number of 1-dimensional hitters we have on this team, the Yankees really need to settle in over the last 6 games if they want to keep the division away from Baltimore.

The Ugly

You have to start wondering about Ivan Nova's long term viability in the rotation.  After a 4.2 inning 4 run effort last night, Nova's ERA is at 5.02 on the season.  At this point, you really don't want him to pitch in the post season, unless its out of the bullpen. 

Goose Egg

No homeruns means nothing for the kids, not even a goose egg, which may have given the children the proper nutrients necessary for good health. 

Raul Ibanez 18hr = $36
Nick Swisher 24hr = $48
Andruw Jones 14hr = $28
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 40hr = $80
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 14hr = $28
Russell Martin 18hr = $36
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 5hr = $10
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 230 hr = $460

Seize by Force!

The Good

Swisher and Jones both hit homeruns putting the Yankees within striking distance of the hard hitting, fast pitching Minnesota Twins.  Hughes pitched a solid 6 innings, before unraveling in the 7th.  Logan pitched a solid 0 innings before unraveling in the 7th as well.

The Bad

Hughes loaded the bases in the 7th and was replaced by Boone Logan who readily let those runs score.  "I trusted that situation to Boone."  Explained Girardi.  "But honestly I got confused.  I looked at my roster and saw Boone, and I thought it was Aaron Boone, and I was like oh crap, Aaron Boone's in our bullpen!?  That guys pure magic!  Then I see Logan out there, and I'm like, 'I think I made a mistake'."

The Ugly

The Yankees lost an opportunity to gain a game on the Orioles who lost to Toronto earlier yesterday.  An opportunity, they must seize by force today!

Most Productive Bench Ever?

Jones and Swisher hit homeruns in yesterdays game adding $4 to the totals.  That makes 14 homeruns for Andruw Jones, 18 homeruns for Raul Ibanez, and 14 homeruns for Eric Chavez.  That may be the most productive bench in recent memory.

Raul Ibanez 18hr = $36
Nick Swisher 24hr = $48
Andruw Jones 14hr = $28
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 40hr = $80
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 14hr = $28
Russell Martin 18hr = $36
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 5hr = $10
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 230 hr = $460

Pettitte's the Cure

The Good

Andy Pettitte pitched 6 shutout innings against the Twins, helping maintain the division lead by a game and a half.  4 Yankees hit homeruns, including Granderson who hit his 40th.  Umpires didn't blow the game, the way the refs did in the Packers game last night.

The Bad

Hughes pitches today, which could mean a quality start or could mean a terrible one.  He's kind of like a young AJ Burnett, only without a dominant fastball or curveball.  So I suppose he's more like the 2011 AJ Burnett.

The Ugly

I just spent the last section bashing Hughes and Burnett, which is just mean spirited.  After all, Burnett is pitching well for the Pirates, and Hughes had a good stretch of starts recently.  Aren't my mean spirited attacks just a way to vent my dissapointment in not being drafted over Hughes back in 2004 even though I never played baseball past elementary school?  Maybe.

Yankees Give Children the Long Ball of Hope

Chavez, Ibanez, Granderson, and Swisher all hit homeruns yesterday.  Like animals!

Raul Ibanez 18hr = $36
Nick Swisher 23hr = $46
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 40hr = $80
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 14hr = $28
Russell Martin 18hr = $36
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 5hr = $10
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 228 hr = $456

Yankees Win Weekend Series

The Good

We won a series, and it looks like the Yankees are finally waking up a bit.  Their new way of winning is intriguing: Making games closer than they need to be, and then winning them in a heroic fashion.  Martin's walk off in the 10th inning on Friday, and another walk off win by error in the 14th inning on Saturday.  The Yankees had themselves set up for another dramatic win on Sunday, being down 4-5 but could not muster that extra run. 

Sabathia had an impressive 8 inning, 11 strikeout game on Friday.

The Bad

After a great pitching performance by Sabathia, Kuroda and Nova both pitched underwhelmingly.  It turned out there was a slight mechanical flaw in their pitching motion.  "I was watching video after the game."  Explained Nova.  "And I saw something was off with my pitching motion.  I showed Larry (Rotschild) and he picked it out right away.  Apparently, I was throwing underhand.  And apparently, that doesn't go so well in the big leagues."

The Ugly

Ichiro continued to play out of his mind crazy going 6 for 13 with a homerun.  When asked why he was playing so well, he explained it like this: "The year was 2001, my first year with the Mariners.  We had just won 116 games and we were playing in October, our dreams coming true.  We fight our way to the ALCS, just one series away from the World Series, only to run into none other than the New York Yankees.  We lost the series 4-1.  Pettitte won the 1st and 5th games of that series.  Ever since then, I keep going back and thinking, what would things be like if I were on the Yankees?  Might we have beaten the Diamondbacks with me playing instead of Knoblauch?  Maybe.  Just maybe.  And now, I am destined to find out."

Homeruns In Bunches

Martin, Swisher, Suzuki and Ibanez had the hits that created hope in the world.

Raul Ibanez 17hr = $34
Nick Swisher 22hr = $44
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 18hr = $36
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 5hr = $10
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 224 hr = $448

Sweep!

The Good

Ichiro's heroics on Wednesday sparked the Yankee offense.  "I realized I had slipped into a small ball mentality."  Explained Swisher.  "Bunting and crap like that.  But then I remembered that bunting isn't the Yankee way.  Homeruns and alcoholism is!"  Swisher hit a grandslam yesterday.  Ichiro hit a homerun as well, and Jeter went 2-4 with 2 RBI's with his injured leg.

The Bad

Phil Hughes went 5 innings allowing 4 runs, but he didn't feel like control was the issue.  "I had pinpoint control." Said Hughes.  "I could throw any pitch I wanted for a ball.  Do you know how hard it is to throw all your pitches for balls?  Its impossible!  For mere mortals."

He did strike out 9, so that was a positive. 

The Ugly

Cory Wade did not strike out 9, he struck out one, but gave up 3 runs to acheive that feat.

Homeruns Galore!

Well, so long as two=galore.  Swisher and Ichiro put the kids back at the forefront of our minds, with their $4 donation towards their health.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 21hr = $42
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 4hr = $8
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 220 hr = $440

Ichiro Defies Logic

The Good

Ichiro Suzuki.  Plain and simple.  4 hits including the game winner plus 4 stolen bases made up the bulk of the Yankee offense in the second game.  He was like a one man team out there.  He also, went 3-5 in the first game out of the lead off spot.  Also notable was Chris Stewarts performance, which included an RBI and 2 walks.  Between these two unlikely hero's the offense was able to score the only 2 runs they needed to win.  However, a two run victory presupposes the starting pitchers ability to give up 1 run or less, which is exactly what David Phelps did, limiting the Blue Jays to 1 run over 6.2 innings.  Pettitte's 5 inning 0 run outing was also good.

The Bad

This new strategy of relying on pitching.  It can only get the Yankees so far.  Where is the long ball?

The Ugly

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not one to harp on any specific player.  Outside of my irrational hatred of Miguel Cairo, my incessant attacks on A-Rod's salary to performance ratio, and my constant criticizing of Phil Hughes pitching ability, I think I'm fairly balanced.  That being said, I do need to give credit to the one player that I have been most critical of in recent years, and that is Rafael Soriano.  He isn't Mariano, and he certainly isn't worth what we're paying him, but at least now he's pitching like a competent big league closer.  So Rafael, I know you read this blog, and I know you've fought back tears every time I told you that we didn't want you on the team, but for now I apologize.  Even though your still over paid.

Nope  

According to Unicef, a quarter will help cure dysentery in the third world.  What does $0 cure?  Apparently nothing, which is exactly what the Yankees helped donate yesterday.  In a double header.  

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2  

Total 218 hr = $436

Yanks Lose to Rain

The mood in the clubhouse was subdued. Everyone likes to think that they are the masters of their own fate, but a day like today rids one of their delusions.

"Do you think we'll play today?"

The question pierced the silence, but only for a moment. The quiet which it received in return was an all too stark reminder that not only did no one know whether a game would be played, but no one had any control over the situation either. The future may have already abandoned them, but these Yankees would have to wait hours to find out.

The room felt cold. Teammates huddled near one of the corners, futilely trying to keep a fire kindled with spare rolexes. And Kindles.

"You know those aren't flammable, right?"

Not right. Well right, but no one would admit it. Everybody hates that guy anyway. Phil Hughes ripped out the latest William Kristol opinion piece and tossed the rest of his Weekly Standard into the flames. Derek Jeter discussed his prognosis with team medical personnel. His leg was fine he assured them. Fine enough to kill anybody who comes near it, or who suggests he take a day off. Everybody hates rain.

Girardi, sensing that his team was losing its collective grip on reality, tried to pull them back from the brink.

"Man, tomorrow sure is going to be a nice day!"

The intensity of the glares suggested strongly that Girardi return to his office. Who could think of tomorrow when it was today that was being stolen from them? What kind of monster would even express such a reminder of the team's current hopelessness?

"That's it, I'm going out there!"

They were all thinking it. But the rain, it wouldn't let up. Drop after drop, the relentless celestial torrent refused to give. Refused to let through even a smattering of daylight. The days were already shorter. This felt like the shortest.

No one was going to brave the elements. Not today. Tough talk aside, a room full of proud, professional athletes, launchers of mammoth home runs and blazing fastballs, had been undone by perhaps the most common meteorological event known to man: rain.

"Hard rain!"

Rain.

Yanks Regain First Place with Series Win over Rays

The Good

Sole possession of first place is good, as was Ivan Nova in his first game back. The offense is scoring a respectable amount of runs as well.

The Bad

Sabathia's command issues are pretty bad. At this point he's trending away from inconsistent and toward unreliable. That is not good.

The Ugly

Phil Hughes gets antsy when he's not being interviewed between his starts. Reports of an interview given by his favorite Supreme Court justice forced the normally not reticent enough Hughes to become even less reticent, barging in on the beat corp's attempt to discuss the game with Hiroki Kuroda.

"Yeah, yeah, we won," began an exasperated Hughes. "But let's get to the real business. This past week we lost a game to Baltimore because an activist ump decided to rewrite the rules of what 'safe' and 'out' mean. We need more conservative umps who will interpret the rules as the founders intended. We need umps who are more like Justice Clarence Thomas, calling balls and strikes. You see, Justice Thomas understands that the phrase 'we the people' in the Constitution didn't include Blacks, and he's made sure to side with his fellow conservatives in any number of decisions to make sure that this original intention of the constitutional framers is preserved."

As a group, we weren't really sure what to do with this. But before we could even think to ask Curtis Granderson for his take on this, one of the reporters spoke up.

"Wasn't it John Roberts who claimed to be just calling balls and strikes?"

A rush of red came over Hughes's face. His eyes welled up.

"You promised never to mention his name again!"

We had promised no such thing. But before we could inform Hughes of this fact, the wells spilled over and he ran off.

Another one of our number spoke.

"Is anybody else unsettled by the fact that this isn't even weird anymore?"

The silence was deafening.

Home Runs for Healing

Granderson had two home runs in this series. Rodriguez, Nunez, and Martin each had one. That's another $10 for the kids.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 39hr = $78
Alex Rodriguez 18hr = $36
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 17hr = $34
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2
Eduardo Nunez 1 hr = $2

Total 218 hr = $436

Did We Just Win a Game With Pitching?

The Good

The Yankees did something they haven't done all season: win a game with superior pitching.  Hughes pitched 7.1 shutout innings, striking out 7 in the process.  Never mind the fact that the Red Sox team roster currently looks more like a roster from the Dominican Winter Leagues than a big league roster.  We still out pitched them.  Jeter hit bloop RBI single, and then hobbled to first showing just how gangster he really is.

The Bad

The Yankees may now get it into their heads that they can win with pitching alone.  I mean after all, its not like they've been hitting of late, and when they have, they haven't been winning.  This delusion could cost the Yankees the rest of their season as they begin focusing on pitching well instead of hitting homeruns, which is really the only strategy that works for them.

The Ugly

The Orioles won again keeping us in a two-way tie.  Its a matter of who blinks first, and the truth is, the Orioles are surging while the Yankees are fading, which doesn't bode well for the Yankees.  As long as Jeter limps up to the plate, there's still hope.

The Poor

Clean hits, and good strategy won the game yesterday, leaving little room for big homeruns, and charitable donations.  No money for the kiddos yesterday.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 37hr = $74
Alex Rodriguez 17hr = $34
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 16hr = $32
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2  
Total 213 hr = $426

Granderson Pop!

The Good

David Phelps pitched 5.2 innings allowing just 1 run against our rivals.  Granderson hit two homeruns to put the Yankees ahead, and Sir Derek Jeter went 2-5 with a run scored before being pulled with some sort of an injury.

The Bad

Derek Jeter was pulled out of the game after he came up limping after running to first on a double play.  However, Jeter insists that he's fine and that he'll play in today's game.  I guess that's what a contract year does to you.  It makes you play harder than you would otherwise.  What's that?  Its not a contract year!?  He just plays hard!?  I guess that's why we're called the Respect Jeter's Gangster blog.

The Ugly

Although the Yankees won, so did the Orioles, which keeps us in a two-way tie for first. 

Making Up For Lost Pop

Three homeruns in yesterdays game brought the Yankees back to their patented winning strategy, adding 1 to the win column and 6 to the CHF coffers.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 37hr = $74
Alex Rodriguez 17hr = $34
Robinson Cano 30hr = $60
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 16hr = $32
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2  

Total 213 hr = $426

The Bats Are Not Coming To Life

The Good

Jeter's 2 run double gave the Yankees some hope, and Swisher's 2-5 night helped break him out of his slump.

The Bad

Besides the aforementioned players, the Yankees continued to pay their membership dues to the Dead Bats Society.  We have not seen this many dead bats since the Bat Flu epidemic of 1979.

The Ugly

A walk off win by the Red Sox on a night that we so badly needed a win falls into the ugly category.  But even more ugly are the 21 players the Yankees left on base yesterday.  21! 

But Did the Children Benefit?

No they did not.  $0 has gone towards helping fight the bat flu epidemic ravaging children across the globe.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 35hr = $70
Alex Rodriguez 17hr = $34
Robinson Cano 29hr = $58
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 16hr = $32
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2   Total 210 hr = $420

Are the Bats Coming Alive?

On Sunday, the Yankees won a 13-3 game over the Baltimore Orioles to claim a one game lead in the division.  The Yankee bats came in to save Freddy Garcia who lasted just 3.1 innings, and the Yankees did what they haven't been doing in a while: hitting when it mattered.  There's no question that Sunday was a key game for the Yankees, because had they lost, they would officially be chasing the division instead of leading it.  The question is, will the Yankees be able to continue hitting.  Will having the Orioles on their heels be enough to motivate this team to wear their big boy pants?  This series in Boston will let us know. 

Yankees Maintain Division Lead with Series Tie

The Good

The Yankees still lead the AL East. We can still hit home runs. Lots of them. We still play in New York. No one is trying to move the team.

The Bad

We still have more injured players than the 1970 Marshall football team. (Too soon?). Teixeira began the series injured, returned, then got reinjured. Not good.

The Ugly

That blown call in the third game did not go unnoticed by RJG. After the game, we sought out Jerry Meals for an explanation.

"Look, it's not as easy as it seems, calling balls and strikes."

Meals looked shooken up. His eyes darted nervously around the room. He seemed distracted. Somewhere else.

"One second you're standing there. Alone. You think to yourself, just don't miss any calls. A checked swing. A bang-bang play at first. So many things can go wrong. Next thing I know, I says to myself, my last name is Meals. Meals! How stupid is that? Then Teixeira is sliding, I'm not at all paying attention, and the entire world is waiting for my call. Teixeira was running so I figured, hell, he must be out. Yeah. I messed up. But is your name Meals? Then give me a #$%@ing break, ok?!"

He has a point.

A Homer a Day Keeps the Orioles at Bay

Sort of anyway. Martin, Pearce, Granderson, and Jeter each had one home run in the last three games, while A-Rod added two of his own. That's $12, count 'em, $12 for the kids.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 15hr = $30
Curtis Granderson 35hr = $70
Alex Rodriguez 17hr = $34
Robinson Cano 29hr = $58
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 16hr = $32
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2
Steve Pearce 1hr = $2

Total 210 hr = $420

That One Stings A Little

The Good

Some would argue that scoring 6 runs without a single homerun is a good sign for the Yankees.

The Bad

We don't win if we don't hit homeruns.  The Yankees have proven that time and time again.  So 6 runs or not, we still took a loss, and now we're tied for first with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Ugly

The Baltimore Orioles are in the race for October.  Baltimore!  October!  We're talking about the Cal Ripken-less, Mike Mussina-less Baltimore Orioles.  And we're talking about October, the month where the best teams in baseball contend in post season baseball.  I feel like I'm in that show Quantum Leap.

Oh That We Would Remember the Children

I just happened to glance at the numbers, and it looks like Eric Chavez has 13 homeruns to A-Rod's 15.  The major difference is that Chavez makes $900,000 and A-Rod makes $29 million.  But really both are irrelevant because neither of them hit a homerun yesterday to benefit the kids, so the real number to focus on is 0, the number of children helped by the Yankees last night.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 14hr = $28
Curtis Granderson 34hr = $68
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Robinson Cano 29hr = $58
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 15hr = $30
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2

Total 204 hr = $408

Back on Top

The Good

The Yankees held off the Rays, still losing the series, but regaining first place. We all know that's what matters. We're fighting a war of attrition, willing to sacrifice battles for a greater end. We're strategical like that.

The Bad

Kuroda gave up four earned runs in only six innings of work. Should he be sent down to work out his mechanics in Triple-A? Probably. Will he be sent down? Yes.

The Ugly

Steve Pearce was pulled in the ninth inning for pinch hitter Eric Chavez.

"I had to leave the game early," explained Pearce, "because someone fraudulently stood in for my at-bat as Steve Pearce. This is why we need strict voter ID laws, otherwise every old man with a last name like Chavez can just walk up to the plate, claim to be Steve Pearce, and vote for Barack Obama."

Told that was not at all what happened, and that Chavez simply pinch hit for him under established Major League rules, Steve was unconvinced.

"It doesn't matter if people follow the rules and that the scenario I just described has never happened in this state. We need these laws to protect the Steve Pearces of the world. Period."

Martin Continues to Contribute

To the children, that is. Another bomb, another $2.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 14hr = $28
Curtis Granderson 34hr = $68
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Robinson Cano 29hr = $58
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 15hr = $30
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2

Total 204 hr = $408

We May Not Be As Good As We Thought

The Good

Cano hit a homerun while the bullpen protected a 3-run deficit by pitching 2.2 innings of scoreless ball.  That deficit could have grown much larger and the Yankees could have been embarrased by this loss.  Instead, the bullpen managed to keep the loss from being a blow out.  Cheers!

The Bad

Another loss proves the old adage that division leads in July simply aren't worth anything true.

The Ugly

After the game, Cano broke down the situation the best: "We've got great talent on this team.  Its just that its talent in like baking cakes and stuff like that, not baseball talent.  With injuries, the ratio of talented cake bakers to talented baseball players has shifted in favor of the cake bakers, which makes for great post game desserts but terrible in-game play."

Wipe Your Tears

At least there was reason for the children to cheer.  Cano's homerun adds $2 to help benefit the kids.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 14hr = $28
Curtis Granderson 34hr = $68
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Robinson Cano 29hr = $58
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 14hr = $28
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2

Total 203 hr = $406

Is This a Collapse?

Why do people keep talking about a collapse? Yes, the Yankees once held a 10 game division lead. In July. Last year, the Red Sox collapsed. They held a 17 game lead, in September. We call that a collapse because it is mathematically impossible to not win the division when you have a 17 game lead in September.

The Yankees had a three game lead (I believe) on September 1st. If they don't win the division, that is not a collapse. They simply lost a pennant race. That happens. But losing a pennant race in and of itself does not make a collapse, especially when 90% of your team is in triage (#inappropriatemedicalhyperbole).

Now, I know we New York fans expect a World Series every year. But can we please stop talking about a collapse? That's just stupid. It makes us look stupid, like we don't know what 'collapse' means but keep using the word in everyday conversations in contexts where it doesn't apply.

Sabathia Ace-Like, Martin Stealth-Like, Yankees Still Lose

The Good

7 innings of 3 run ball is typically considered good. It was good to see Martin steal a base and get his batting average ever close to .200.  Ibanez' triple was also pretty good.

The Bad

Not a single homerun was hit yesterday.  Not that homeruns have been winning us games lately, but at least when we hit homeruns, the children benefit.

The Ugly

The Yankees continue sliding. And not good sliding, like when you steal home, but bad sliding, like losing a 10 game lead in your division.


The Children Don't Benefit

No homeruns mean no money for the Children's Health Fund.  I guess little Timmy will have to wait another winter for that flu vaccine.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30 Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 14hr = $28
Curtis Granderson 34hr = $68
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Robinson Cano 28hr = $56
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 14hr = $28
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2

Total 202 hr = $404

Yanks Drop Important Series to Os

The Good

The Yankees get to hobble to Baltimore later this week and take on the healthier, younger Os again, so that's really #$&*ing great!

The Bad

Curtis Granderson was added to the list of injured Yankees. Our starting line-up is now Derek Jeter, and a series of guys with names like 'Boxcar Joe'. In fact, our starting line-up looks more like the first list of cuts from Spring Training camp than it does a major league line-up, but that's cool.

The Ugly

After losing the rubber match, Hughes stood in front of his locker next to an empty chair. As the beat guys approached, we could sense something weird was about to happen. Then Hughes spoke.

"You might be wondering what a New York baseball tradesman is doing here," began Hughes. It was a strange opening remark. We were in the Yankees clubhouse after a baseball game. The only thing we were expecting to see were baseball tradesmen.

"I have the president here, and I'm going to ask him a few questions," continued Hughes.

"Can you ask him why you can't keep the ball in the park?" replied one beat writer.

Hughes did not appreciate the comment. His face formed into a frown and, for a moment, it seemed as though he might cry.

Then he cried.

We left.

Why Come We Hit Homers and No Win Games?

Granderson, Cano, and Dickerson all contributed to the children in this series. Granderson even went and got hurt so he could better relate to them.

Raul Ibanez 15hr = $30
Nick Swisher 20hr = $40
Andruw Jones 13hr = $26
Derek Jeter 14hr = $28
Curtis Granderson 34hr = $68
Alex Rodriguez 15hr = $30
Robinson Cano 28hr = $56
Mark Teixeira 23hr = $46
Eric Chavez 13hr = $26
Russell Martin 14hr = $28
Jayson Nix 5hr = $10
Dewayne Wise 3hr = $6
Chris Stewart 1hr = $2
Ichiro Suzuki 3hr = $6
Casey McGehee 1hr = $2

Total 202 hr = $404