After a recent loss to the Cleveland Indians Johnny Damon gave this quote:
“We’re OK. Nothing has got in our way. With the number of injuries we’ve had and the bounces not going our way, we still have our heads up. When all is said and done, we’re going to get back to normal.”
I’ll skip the lame injury comment. Everyone has injuries. It’s part of the game. No one’s going to feel sorry for a team that pays one player more than some team payrolls.
As far as the bounces not going New York’s way I happened to catch most of the game.
- In the bottom of the 6th with the score tied at 3 the Indians sacrificed runners to 2nd and 3rd. With only 1 out the Indians were on the brink of taking the lead. Blake drilled a ball down the 3rd base line headed for the corner. Unfortunately the ball was also hit directly at the Yankee 3rd baseman who caught the line-drive and easily doubled off the runner at 3rd to end the inning.
- In the bottom of the 8th the Indians again were on the verge of scoring the go ahead run when Martinez was called out at 2nd despite Yankee 2nd baseman Cano bobbling the throw from Jeter; as terrible a call as I’ve seen this season.
- In the top of the 9th with the score still tied and 1 out Damon had his bat shattered but his bloop fell softly in the Indian outfield for an excuse-me single.
Was Damon even paying attention? Only through cheating could more have gone the Yankees’ way. Then again, I’m pretty sure I heard the same quote from Damon last year. I guess the baseball gods hate poor Johnny.