Kyle Farnsworth’s explosive temper and ineffectiveness (did anyone really think he was going to get that third out last night?) should make him a prime candidate for one of those ‘addition by subtraction’ trades. Torre has made some horrendous bullpen decisions this year. But removing Farnsworth with two runners on base last night is not one of them. Bringing him in in a tight one-run game–now that is the head scratcher.
It has long been the opinion here that Michael Kay thinks that Torre should go. He said it in so many words after last year’s playoff loss. And he’s been hinting at it off and on all season long on his radio show. So his interview with Cashman comes as no surprise. Kay is first and foremost a Yankee diehard–a man with an agenda (Yankee domination) and a pulpit (ESPN radio & YES) upon which to espouse his frustrations. This is what makes him one of the most influential and powerful figures in Yankeeland.
Maybe Torre still finishes out the season. Largely, that is up to the players. But make no mistake about it: Kay’s message was heard loud and clear.
1. Scott Proctor wasn’t great last night. But was he ‘horseshit’, as he declared last night in YES’ post-game interview? That is the question of the day, as the Yanks try to get past another horrible loss.
2. What does it mean to have four ribs ‘out of place’? Ask Johnny Damon who, after a visit to the chiropractor, was somehow able to homer in yesterday’s game.
Most players try to play through their injuries. Great. But when Jeter does it (hip strain), he achieves that mythical ‘warrior’ status. Did you happen to hear the Fox broadcasters lauding him yesterday? Even Torre called it a ‘mild thing’. And he’ll probably still play today. But no one in the media, it seems, can ever pass a chance to pin the warrior tag on The Captain.
1. This is a joke. The guy has been hobbling around like the living dead all season long. Why do they keep delaying? He’s not getting any better. He may never be fully ‘well’ again. But a trip to the DL is a requirement at this point. No one cares about his meaningless streak. No one cared about Matsui’s streak either. No one cares.
2. It seems to be Torre’s new strategy: remove your pitcher just before it gets ugly. Even with all his celebrated rehabbing and a five-run lead, Igawa couldn’t even qualify for the win.
1. Here’s Joe Torre on being swept in Colorado: “…I don’t think we have any doubts on what kind of team we are right now. I think we just hit a bad spot.” Would he call the first two months of the season a ‘bad spot’? How long can he believe that this team is anything other than what its record indicates (.500)? And we always figured that ‘best team on paper’ mentality came from YES.
2. Without missing a beat, Johnny Damon has become the new Jason Giambi: a hobbled, ailing DH / albatross without a real position to play.
3. Once again, Giambi is begging for forgiveness. Sure Jason, we can forgive you. For everything. But will you forgive us for thinking that you will never admit to taking ‘roids as a Yankee (so your contract can’t be voided)? Will you forgive us for thinking that the only reason you are talking to Mitchell is not because you believe it is ‘right’, but because your lawyer told you it was the best thing to do?
Officially it’s about family and timing. And in a way, Girardi is telling the truth. But the family is the Yankees and the timing is whenever Torre is no longer a member of it. So he’ll remain perched in the YES booth for a little longer, like some kind of pinstriped vulture, biding his time, perpetually eyeing Torre as this erratic year unfolds. Give Girardi credit for keeping his eye on the prize. Turning down two big-league managerial positions in a year can’t be as easy as he makes it look.
1. Blogger Curt Schilling is going to get a MRI on his shoulder. Michael Kay’s wish (’The Yankees need a major Red Sox injury in order to win the division!’) could be coming true. Give Kay credit. He could have wished death upon one of the Sox.
2. So Giambi’s going to talk to Selig and friends, so long as he doesn’t have to snitch on other players. But we already know that Giambi did ‘roids. If he won’t out other players, how is this really advancing the cause? We already know all about Balco. Is this some kind of a charade?
1. Why is Torre still trying to perpetuate this myth that Andy Pettitte was ready to retire during the offseason? Because it’s all about legend building with this team. It’s all about what will sound good on his Yankeeography.
2. Are the Yanks playing so well that they are making these teams look bad? Or are they just bad to begin with? Apparently, the first-place Diamondbacks’ only chance for a victory was with Webb on the mound. They looked young, overmatched, and frankly, overrated.
3. Don’t trace this winning streak back to Stray-Rod or the arrival The Savior. Trace it back to the Giambi injury. Every year, the bloated Yankee roster becomes leaner as a result of injuries. And every year the Yanks prosper as a result. Yet the team continues to load up on fragile veterans, meaning that it will more than likely get bogged down once again.
4. Why doesn’t Torre sit down while the Yanks are batting? Is he suffering from a hemorrhoid? We all know that ‘roids have played a huge part in the teams’ success over the years. But this is a little ridiculous.
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