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Yankee Fans: Boston Sucks! (when they’re playing the Rays)

Gary — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:00:25 +0000

For years Red Sox fans have had the embarrassing habit of chanting “Yankees Suck” even when playing other teams, and Yankee fans have smugly pointed and laughed.

From the Lohud Yankees Blog during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays:

The Bleacher Creatures are chanting “Boston sucks.” That makes sense. The Yankees are 0-5 against Boston and playing Tampa Bay.

Now bury that item of superiority along with the 1918 chants.

Smartest Fans?

During the Red Sox 7-3 victory over the Yankees the YES Network asked their viewers to choose the ‘player of the game’. They chose Joba Chamberlain after giving up 4 runs over 5.2 innings and taking the loss.

Remember that the next time you see a ‘smartest fans in the league’ article*.

* I don’t expect Yankee fans to choose a Red Sock, but Damon, having hit a 3 run homer to give New York their only runs, would have been the brain dead choice.

Hello, My Name is Hyperbole

From the WasWatching comment section:

At this point, a 75 win disaster of a season wouldn’t even upset me. It’s absolutely impossible to win games when nearly your entire 25-man roster is going on the DL.*

* Please tell me this is a kid, please tell me this is a kid…

Or on crack…

The Weight of a Professional Blogger

Peter Abraham recently critiqued “The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez” by Selena Robert:

…a good editor would have kicked the manuscript back and told her to come back when she had more.

I haven’t read the book, and probably won’t, but I don’t think someone with Robert’s credentials is going to worry about Peter Abraham’s opinion. Abraham judging journalistic integrity is like Tommy Lee giving child care advice.

Nick Swisher Is Kind of Dumb

Swisher was also dismissive of Roberts’ book, which provides details of Rodriguez’s steroid use, alleged pitch-tipping in Texas and numerous other transgressions. He apparently hasn’t noticed that it was 194th on the Amazon list entering the weekend.

“Ain’t nobody gonna read that book,” he said. “Write that down.”

Would have been even better with a “nuff ced!”.

Red Sox Sweep Yankees, Ellsbury Steals Home

Gary — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:48:05 +0000

Remember When We Expected the Worst?

Yes, it was an April series, but games in April count the same as they do in August. And while Yankee fans seem to be hanging their hats on A-Rod and Wang being MIA they seem to ignore that the Red Sox are currently playing with a struggling Beckett, a completely lost at the plate Ortiz, and a third string shortstop.

Reading reactions from around the internet I was struck by 2 recurring themes:

1. Red Sox fans now expect success and good luck against the Yankees. When the Sox are down, Boston fans stay positive. When ahead, Boston fans don’t fear a collapse.

2. Yankee fans now expect failure and bad luck against the Red Sox. The line “Why always against this team” is very common on Yankee websites.

Of course, that’s a large generalization, but the mood among fans has definitely shifted. We’re now going on half a decade of the Red Sox not only being competitive with the Yankees, but in many ways being the superior organization. Legions of new Yankee and Red Sox fans will only be aware of the ‘curse’ through reading history books and stories that begin with “I remember when…”.

Please Oh Please Oh Please

I’ve thought Mariano Rivera was slipping before, so I’m not saying he’s starting to show cracks, but the man can’t go on forever, so just maybe…

Rivera’s given up leads against the Red Sox before, but we’re usually talking a bloop hit here, a grounder through the hole there. Bay taking Rivera out of the yard to the deepest part of the ballpark is something completely different.

As Rivera said after the game, it was one bad pitch. But a mistake thrown at 90 is easier to hit than one at 94.

I want to believe.

Chicks Did Guys that Steal Home

After Ellsbury’s thrilling steal of home he came out for a curtain call. Listening to WFAN after the game a older woman* caller was disgusted and said the next time the two teams met Ellsbury deserved a to be hit with a pitch in retaliation.

After watching Yankees hitters come out to tip their caps after meaningless home runs more times than I can remember (and complained about) I have to believe the woman was either senile or Andy Pettitte’s mom.

*Older, a smoker, or both. Pick one.

Pedroia Power (part 2)

Gary — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:34:28 +0000

Poetry from Tyler Kepner:

The grand slam exploded like a gunshot Wednesday night, tearing out the guts of even the most naïve believers in the 2008 Yankees.

The eighth-inning bullet by Dustin Pedroia was like the opening scene of a documentary, many years from now, capturing the thud of finality to something once so special. The question for the Yankees is what starts next: a glorious renaissance or a painful fall from grace?

In the owner’s box, Hank Steinbrenner was making his first appearance at Yankee Stadium since opening day. The team was healthy then, the young starters seemed ready, and there were few doubts that Yankee Stadium would see one more postseason, the 14th in a row for the franchise.

But as Pedroia rounded the bases, Steinbrenner hung his head. By the bottom of the inning, he was gone from his seat. There was no need to witness the final details of the Yankees’ 11-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox, the one that probably doomed their postseason chances.

Pedroia Power

Gary — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:30:07 +0000

Going into their 3 game series I heard talk of Boston burying New York, ending their playoff hopes. I wasn’t as confident. It’s not that I fear the Yankees. I’ve watched them play enough this year to know they’re a brutal team; even worse to watch. But there’s still a ton of talent on their roster, and I honestly thought the ‘win now’ circumstances along with playing in front of their own fans would energize them for one last stand.

I was wrong.

I would have been okay with taking 1 game, thrilled with 2. So I’m pretty excited with Lester on the mound (hopefully rebounding from his last outing) and a chance to sweep the series Thursday afternoon; all but burying the Yankees for 2008. No, I’m not counting the bombers out, but there’s certainly blood in the water.

Random Thoughts

From the ESPN write-up:

In a game they needed badly, the injury-depleted Yankees gave the ball to Sidney Ponson.

The injury-depleted Yankees? Are you kidding me? Did they see Lowell, Drew, or Casey on the field tonight? Ironically Hank recently complained that the media had ignored Yankee injuries. Yet the only team’s injuries I hear about are the Yankees. Unbelievable.
Byrd has now won 2 games as a Red Sock. Those are 2 wins that would have been almost certain losses with Clay Buchholz on the hill. Great move by Theo.
Manny Delcarmen rebounded tonight nicely. Dreadful one day, brilliant the next. So frustrating.
Jason Bay has 6 RBI in the first 2 games of the series. Remember when people pointed out that Manny and Bay had similar numbers? But Bay doesn’t scare teams like Manny does they would say. Looks like being scary is over-rated.
My love for Dustin Pedroia grows daily. That he gets under the skin of Yankee fans is icing on the cake.

What Will Hank Blame Now?

Gary — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:28:15 +0000

Josh Beckett was suppose to start last night against the Yankees. Instead the Red Sox sent 42 year old Tim Wakefield, just coming off the disabled list, to the rubber. The Red Sox played the game without their starting shortstop, third baseman, right fielder, and catcher. Sean Casey, normally the first player off the bench, was sidelined with a stiff neck. The Red Sox starting lineup had 2 players that started the year in the minors.

The Yankees had Andy Pettitte on the mound, a lineup that was one player away (Posada) from being completely healthy, a ‘have to win’ sense of urgency, and a home crowd cheering them on.

Final score Boston 7, New York 3.

Is Hank still whining about injuries?

Random notes:

Unless he makes a remarkable turn-a-round Manny Delcarmen needs to go the way of Craig Hansen. He single handedly tried to get the Yankees back in the game. He simply can’t be counted on. Pathetic performance by Delcarmen.
Reading the comment section of various Yankee blogs I noticed a lot of complaining about the umpiring. Even on blogs that didn’t place the blame on the umps couldn’t help but mention it. Those same blogs, of course, made no mention of Rivera’s gift on Sunday. Peculiar, that.

Jim Palmer: “Ed Rapuano Embarrassing”

Gary — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:46:23 +0000

After watching the Red Sox win in 11 innings at Toronto I turned my attention to the Yankee – Orioles game. Down by a run but with a runner on first and Jay Payton at the plate New York brought in Rivera to get the third out.

Payton would eventually look at a third strike without lifting the bat off his shoulders. He had no choice. The pitch was unhittable. Not because it was a perfect pitch, but because it was 8 inches inside. Even with the break of the cutter after the pitch passed Payton it wasn’t close to being a strike.

Good pitchers get close calls; that’s common knowledge. But this wasn’t close. This wasn’t borderline. It was a ball. Jay Payton had no chance.

The theory when it comes to blown calls is that they balance out over the course of a game; in the end, it’s fair. Against a team like the Red Sox, with similar star power and payroll, I might agree. But against the Orioles, already fighting with inferior talent and less than a third of the money, it sure didn’t feel fair.

After coming back from the break Oriole color man Jim Palmer had obviously viewed a replay and called home plate umpire Ed Rapuano’s call “embarrassing”. And it was. I didn’t watch the 9th inning. The game had already been decided.

Joe Girardi: Hypocrite

Gary — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:59:37 +0000

After Joba Chamberlain threw at Kevin Youkilis’ head for the 4th time in the past 2 seasons Terry Francona commented:

He has great command until Youk gets in there.

Joe Girardi understood why Youkilis was upset but claimed no intent and that it was unfortunate that the umpire warned both teams. Girardi contributed the fact that it was always Youkilis on the other end of Chamberlain’s headhunting as “coincidence”.

Less than a week later while playing the Orioles Daniel Cabrera was thrown out for hitting A-Rod in the shoulder* after he had hit a home run off the pitcher in his previous at bat.

Girardi’s response:

Daniel Cabrera is wild, but I don’t like it. He was down in the zone all night tonight and you just don’t like it. It’s happened a few times with this guy, Daniel Cabrera. We know at times he has some control issues but it’s just awful dangerous when you’re up there.

Excuse me? What the hell Joe Girardi? Does he understand the words coming out of his mouth? I’ve always thought of Joe Girardi as a stand up guy. Not so much anymore.

* Almost gifting a comeback win to the Yankees.

Red Sox Avoid Sweep

Gary — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:35:28 +0000

The Red Sox managed to take game 3 against the Yankees to avoid a sweep. Baseball is a funny game. Your team loses one night and all you see are problems; a win the next day and everything seems brighter. So here’s 4 positive thoughts*:

The Yankees are on a role. The Red Sox have been sputtering on and off the field. Yet the Red Sox could have easily won 2 out of 3. Game 1 was an even pitching match-up that could have gone to either team. The Yankees got the breaks and took the game. The game 2 pitching match-up favored the Yankees, and they won going away. The game 3 pitching match-up favored the Sox, and they took the game easily.
Beckett and Lester would be the game 1 and 2 starters for Boston in any playoff series, and they both looked sharp.
Watching Ortiz run the bases he looks healthier than he has in a very long time. He also looks less rusty than I would have expected. Perhaps the injury is a blessing in disguise and he’ll be ready to mash for the stretch run.
Ellsbury was 3-4 in Sunday’s victory over the Yankees. If Ellsbury is starting to get hot, if Jed Lowrie can add a little pop from short along with the return of Ortiz, well, maybe the Sox lineup is good enough to carry the carcass of Jason Varitek’s bat.

And what if Varitek starts hitting? Nah, positive thinking only goes so far. Let’s not get crazy.

* Ignoring the loss to the Angels Monday night, of course. As far as Manny, I’ll bother to worry when he stops hitting.

Red Sox Offense AWOL

Gary — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:56:11 +0000

Yesterday’s 10-3 loss to the Yankees was more of the same for the Red Sox. A bullpen that threw fuel on the fire and a lineup that managed only 3 runs. The bullpen is less of a worry for me. One new arm, one old arm deciding to step up, and the problem vanishes. But the Red Sox offense is more perplexing.

The Red Sox are batting only .229 as a team since the break and have scored three-or-fewer runs five times. Hopefully Ortiz shakes the rust off, Varitek gets a second wind, and Ellsbury regroups for the stretch run. But if not, if Ortiz needs the off season to become Big Papi again, if Varitek is indeed done, and if Ellsbury continues to struggle like the rookie he is, well, I doubt the pitching, no matter how good, will be enough to overcome the lack of run production.

Other thoughts:

Hansen is so wild I have no idea if he threw at A-Rod on purpose. But either way it was a welcome sight. Every time Chamberlain buzzes a Red Sox player’s head, a Yankee should get the same; starting yesterday.
Yankee Coach Bobby Meacham gave the Yankee lineup to TV viewers before the game. According to Meacham the Yankees have the best shortstop, the best second baseman, the best upcoming star, and the best player in the game. Fox should probably choose someone who’s vocabulary extends beyond the word best.
Joe Buck went on ad nauseam that Girardi should be Manager of the Year if the Yankees make the playoffs. A manager that works with a payroll 50 million higher than any team in the majors should not touch that award.

Yankees on Deck, Big Papi is Back

Gary — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:31:14 +0000

The Yankees come to Boston for a 3 game series starting tonight. The Red Sox are tied for first with the Rays with the Yankees a few games back. Despite the hype, the series won’t make or break either club’s season, but it certainly makes for good drama.

We’re a little over half way done with the season and the Red Sox, despite a woeful road record, have played pretty well. Why isn’t their record even better? Two obvious reasons:

The middle of the lineup is solid. The 7, 8, and 9 spots, usually including some order of Varitek, Crisp, and Lugo, has been a black hole, and Ellsbury has been anemic in the lead-off spot. When 4 of your 9 hitters aren’t contributing your offense is going to be inconsistent. Ortiz coming back healthy will be a huge lift. If Lowrie improves on Lugo’s numbers and Varitek returns to being even an average Major League hitter the offense could go from good to great.
Starting pitching has been solid, Papelbon, despite unreasonable expectations by fans, has been solid. The middle relief, not so much. I’m still a fan of Okajima. He’s not the shutdown guy people saw last year, and in truth, he wasn’t shutdown at the end of last season either, but he can still be effective when used properly. But he can’t do it alone. Hansen nor Delcarmen have been reliable. Hopefully Masterson, impressive in his first relief appearance, can give the pen a boost.

Neither the offense nor the pitching has been good enough to cover for the shortcomings of the other. And that’s the difference between the Red Sox being a good team and a great one. Despite their winning streak, I still don’t believe this is a very good Yankee team. Hopefully the Red Sox can use this weekend to get on a role.