Hot.
“What innings are we going to do dippin’ dots today? Second, fifth, and seventh?” asked Mikey Juice. The most remarkable thing about Mikey Juice is that he was sitting in the first row talking animatedly with Tony Sherry. Which is fine, except that it was 98 degrees and Acc and I were ready to fall flat on the concrete. “Juice,” I asked, “How are you sitting there like everything’s totally normal with relatively little sweat on you?” It was a fair question. Mikey Juice is probably tipping the scales at 260 these days. “Shhh,” he says to me. “I’m doing it all with my mind right now, and I don’t know how long it’s going to last.” Two innings later he was begging Acc for another napkin. For his forehead. “I’ve never felt more fat and disgusting than I feel right now after eating that cheeseburger. I’m going to be sweating that cheeseburger out for the rest of the night.” The cheeseburger was courtesy of the big boy, who had gone out and loaded up at “The Grill” in the food court opposite section 24. His version of “gearing up.” By then it was about the fifth inning, and we were all a helmet of dippin’ dots and a few beverages deep. Tony Sherry, wearing a brand new green Yankees shirt that we had geared up at the Yankees Clubhouse store at the Seaport before the game, was similarly uncomfortable. “It’s official,” said Tony, “I’m never eating another french fry again for the rest of my life.” As Juice laughed and countered, “There’s no chance I’m eating anything until tomorrow night.” Then he looked back at Acc. “Unless Acc tells me he only wants half of that sausage.”
There were some boos for A-Rod tonight. It was evident. I looked around to see who was making the noise. Juice, for one. Plenty of others. People standing; p*ssed. Short memories. Huge hits against the Mets, walk-off jobs, a big day yesterday in the field and at the plate. Tough crowd. I guess some people just can’t get past the fact that he makes so much money. They really have to get over it. Like it or not, A-Rod has already earned his money from the standpoint of the business of the Yankees. The Yanks were drawing in the high three millions before he got here. Now they draw four million and sell more merchandise. He has paid for himself and then some every year, love him or hate him. Technically, that is why he, and every professional ballplayer, gets paid. He gets paid to draw fans, i.e. paying customers, to the park, in order to sustain the game in an economically viable way. It’s romantic (and I don’t mean that in a Johnny Drama/Turtle crossing swords kind of a way) to think that ballplayers get paid to help their teams win games. That’s the way we look at it as fans. And we know that often one follows the other. But they are mutually exclusive. The truth is that if a team wins and the owners still don’t see it as a viable going-concern, or at least something they can squeeze a buck or two from, many owners will send those players packing (see Florida Marlins circa 1998 & 2004). Through all of the ins and outs of the business, the players are trying to win because they are part of a team and they are trying to uphold the spirit of the game; which places the good of the team – winning – before the individual. And I think A-Rod takes that to heart. Joe Torre says A-Rod puts a tremendous amount of pressure on himself. He doesn’t have to say why. He puts all that pressure on himself because he wants to help the team and he wants the fans to see the team win. Not because he’s afraid he’s not going to get paid - his money’s guaranteed. Give him some credit for that. Give him some credit for the fact that he cares so much about wanting to win and do well for the fans. For us. He had an awful game tonight. He had a tremendous game last night. You want to boo him, boo him. That’s your right. But know what you’re booing. If you’re booing him because you don’t feel he’s earning his money, go ask The Boss’s accountant if A-Rod has paid off. If you’re booing his performance, double check his numbers against everybody else in the league and see if he’s not performing well. If you’re booing him because you think he isn’t trying or doesn’t care, look at his face when he strikes out. When you’re done with that, take a minute to think about what else there is to boo about…..
Nobody, absolutely nobody, in the stands at the Stadium thought that 4-0 KC lead against Boston lead was going to hold up. Looks like Wakefield’s got back problems. “Mister me,” Curt Schilling, has carried the staff. Beckett is his old self. Inconsistent. And the big move to Boston hasn’t helped him, it seems. His ERA is through the roof. Sounds like the Red Sox might be in the market for a starter. Joe Buck had a great line about Piersynski the other day. My first thought was that you could say the same about Schilling. “When he’s on the other team you hate him. When he’s on your team you hate him less.”
The Wang-er has 10 wins. And an ERA under four. But apparently “The Gambler” started the All-Star game. Check back with me at the end of the season and let’s see who has the better numbers.
I think everyone was surprised to hear Enter Sandman queued up in the ninth. We figured he was cooked because he went two yesterday. But I like what Joe is thinking. Get the win today, because you never know what’s coming tomorrow.
Maybe I’m way off base, but I think the key to getting Sidney Ponson’s game off right tomorrow (tonight) might be run support. But I guess that’s not really going out on any kind of limb.
Throw strikes, Sidney. If you do that, the wins will follow. I promise.
Good analysis. You see what the M's did to A-Rod all night.. bust him inside. A-Rod will adjust tommorow. This 3 error game might actually be beneficial for the Yankees. For one, he's a proud man. After being embarrassed and ripped by ESPN (John Kruk actually said Brian Cashman should consider making A-Rod the permanent DH for the rest of the year). If you remember 2 years ago, before A-Rod's MVP year he often went on stretches where his defense was solid but his offense lacked. Then the other way around. In 2005 his defense was weak in the first half, but his offensive production was off the charts. In the second half he finally put it all together and that really lead to his MVP award. We know he's dedicated in his craft, and he will work hard. We escaped from it, and what more could you really want. Just like this team that was suppose to just "keep it's head above water" until Sheffield and Matsui came back-- we're just .5 games back. You just have to "Kill time" so teo speak. We killed "time" today with A-Rod and his errors, and it didn't cost us. It will help us tommorow, as he will prove himself on the field, as he always has.
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Great post, so true. I was watching baseball tonight and getting all worked up at how they were ripping A-rod. Because his salary is so high his performance expectation has been brought to an unreachable and unfair height. The guy is good. He's struggling a little bit defensively and obviously has stuggled offensively as well but anyone who knows the game knows that most of his stuff is mental. He has the mechanics, you can't become the caliber player he is without the mechanics, he's just trying so hard to please finicky NY fans that he's making things worse in the process. Like you said, look at his face when he strikes out...Gotta love the heart he shows for the game. He just needs to relax and play baseball and the rest will fall in to place.
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"...Like you said, look at his face when he strikes out...Gotta love the heart he shows for the game..."
By contrast, look at Manny's face when he strikes out. Lord knows what he's thinking. He could be standing in the check-out line at Food City.
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I have always thought that Alex R. is a great player. His numbers are there, and he has ups and downs. So have each and every past and current Yankee. So why the boos? Because I think he makes it easy to dislike his personality. I like him and have gained alot of respect for him, but have you ever heard him speak? He sounds false, as though he is reading from a script and that comes off as insincere. He is always trying not to offend. But if he changed this a little bit the boos would probably go away permanently. But this is not his personality. I think he is trying to not rock the boat. Bernie Williams is also not trying to rock the boat, but he comes off as an honest, supersmart guy,and sincere. I think that is the problem with A-Rod. The insincerity factor leads people to try to get a rise out of him. Just to see the real A-Rod. Alas, that is not going to happen so people need to give it up. Great Players are not always dramatic off the field.
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"By contrast, look at Manny's face when he strikes out. Lord knows what he's thinking. He could be standing in the check-out line at Food City. "
Or he could be at that bookstore that he had to go to instead of attending the All- Star game.
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A-Rod has been under a microscope since he arrived at NY. One isn't born with the social skills to cope.
I like to think it's good exercise for me to tip-toe around here as a fan of the hated Red Sox.
Even amber likes me.
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Great game last night and another win brought home by BPS!!! It would have been fantastic to have the Royals hold up a 4-0 lead, but we all know how that went...Wang pitched great again and is becoming another rock in the the starting rotation. He is getting plenty of ground ball outs and is getting a lot of double plays. A-Rod is going to have those bad defensive and offensive days once in a while. Look for him to redeem himself pretty soon here. He works too hard not to get good results. Your right on about Ponson, here's hoping he comes out throwing strikes...Let's Go Yanks!!
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i'd like to think they yankees winning started when I went on Weight Watchers last week. Every pound I've lost has been a game gained in the win column. good motivation. TS I have a Hideki Matsui bobble head doll for you.
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I am sure glad this A-Rod thing has been brought up. First off, does the man occasionally p1ss me off? Yes! Does perception outweigh reality? Yes! The guy has 18 game winning RBI’s this year. More than anyone else in the league that have been anointed “clutch.” Did anyone see the (what turned out to be) game saving double play he turned in the first inning of the game against Chicago on Sunday? Honestly, I think booing the guy is the “thing to do.” But, then again, the people mostly booing are the same people who feel the need to start “the wave” during the 9th inning of a close game proudly displaying their pink “NY” hats. I swear, it is getting to the point where I WANT A-Rod to pull a Jack McDowell and give “the finger of shame” to those who help pay his salary. Other than that, hopefully we can continue on with what matters instead of this “BS” designed to sell papers and give something for ESPN to talk about through the summer…..and that is winning. No matter with who or how. Winning is paramount.
I’m going out on a limb here but I have a feeling Andre The Giant Ponson does well tonight. He can’t do any worse than Jeff Weaver did last night for St. Louis. Speaking of someone who needs to be booed.
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its hilarious to boo arod. whether hes my favorite player or not, its just ridiculous to boo him or any other yankee regularly.... those who do should get a grip. Im also tired of BSPN always highlighting it. now they're on Boston's jock the way they were on the yankees jock in the early 00's. Ponson has 2 good games out of the next 6 and is out of the majors (or picked up by KC, whichever is worse)
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Great game last night, eventhough I did sweat for 7 hours straight! I am not sure if it was the weather, the fat, or the 6000 calories i shoved in my fat face at the game. I was boing A-rod and to be totally honest for no other reason than to get a reaction, and I did. Boy do I love myself!!! Lets keep this streak going. Diet starts Labor Day....No premature weight losses SAL.....
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Good Post.Can the yankees ever lose?They always win when the red sox win lose yankees.
-kaylee
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What is this.....my sox won why cant seattle just beat you guys they have to take it to 11 innings Yeesh!
-kaylee
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yankees won thanks to Melky Flippin Cabrera nice walkoff Melky us red sox fans dont like it but you yankee fans do!
-kaylee
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Add another highlight to Melky's reel!!! What a finish!!
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LUcky Leftie: I know and I hate Melky ******* Cabrera.I opened my mouth to quickly i guess.
-kaylee
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The Melk man!!....this kids a keeper I think(I went out on a limb with that one..lol)...and my views on booing Arod are documented...it is purely counter-productive..
..and Kaylee...what gives??..I am thinking something along the lines of bipolar...
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Jd:No,I just had to pick one team Because you guys ripped me about rooting for both teams.
-kaylee
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So Kaylee, now that you've had your fun with us, why don't you just take your Red Sox ball and go home. Find a nice Red Sox blog and go play in it, OK?
Ras #45
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