Texas Street Fight
The Mrs. and I were waiting on line to get on the cable car back to the hotel when the first text message came in. The big boy. “2-0 T2.” He didn’t clarify that the good guys were up, but I knew that the message would have been different if the Yanks weren’t on top. The Mrs. had ducked in to a gift shop right next to the turnaround to get some Christmas ornaments (she likes to get them from anyplace we go on vacation). When she got back out she asked me what I wanted to do about dinner. I was in no rush, as we had had a late lunch of clam chowder in sour dough bread bowls. “Are the Yankees on TV?” she then asked. Quickly I tried to retrace my steps. Of course I knew the Yanks were playing on ESPN tonight at 5pm pacific. But had I mentioned it? Am I that big a loser that ‘when the Yankees are on’ passes for conversation when I’m on vacation? “They are, but I don’t need to watch it,” was my lukewarm reply. The Mrs, it turned out, was going to take a nap before we went back out anyway, so I had a perfect window.
By the time I had flipped it on in the hotel, the score was tied 2-2. I figured this game was going to be real tough to win. Everything was stacked against us. We had Jaret Wright on the mound, we were facing a very good team that was trying to avoid getting swept at home, and the Rangers were due to stop getting beat by the Yankees, frankly. Law of averages stuff. Anyway, the wheels started coming off quickly. I started explaining to the Mrs that it wouldn’t really bother me if the Yanks lost, but it was annoying that we had 8 hits and only two runs. Like she cares. Why do I do it? I’ll never know. Why do I torture the poor girl? Luckily, as usual, she was a good sport. She listened and feigned interest. She did, however, probably make a tactical mistake in lying down on the couch next to me in the parlor area rather than in the bedroom. As she started to nod off, things started to get weird in Texas. Damon on first and nobody out in the 7th. A 3-2 count on Jeter. Torre starts Damon to stay out of the double play. Good so far. Then the pitch comes in and home plate umpire Chris Guccione (any relation to the **** mogul Bob Guccione, I wonder?) decides to make one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen, calling a horribly inside pitch a strike to start a strike-em out, throw-em out DP. I was incensed. At that point that was a colossal call in this game. The Yanks were down two and should have had two on and none out for Giambi and Allie-boy. Instead, we got ugatz. I was trying to take deep breaths and contort my face to avoid screaming at the TV. Not just because the Mrs. was napping peacefully next to me, but also because I could hear the people in the room next to us pretty clearly, and if I started going nuts they definitely would have heard me. No sense in making a jerk of myself all over the country, I figured. And while we’re on that play, kudos to Eric Karros. He was doing the game on ESPN with Dave O’Brien, and immediately called out Guccione for a terrible call. You don’t often see broadcasters willing to challenge umps on balls and strikes. But Karros showed a pair. In fact, his quote while watching a replay of the pitch was, “Oh yeah. That thing was so inside it isn’t even funny.” Good for you, Eric. And no, it was pretty effing far from funny.
By the time the Allie-Boy had come up clutch (again), and the Melk-Man popped his huge double to give the Yanks the lead I was furiously text-messaging Acc. We were both flabbergasted to see that TJ Beam was coming in the game. I was mystified. I have since seen that Farnsworth’s back locked up, but at the time I was hoping this wasn’t another case of Torre trying to see if a kid has cajones in a tough spot, as Ras suggested. Turns out Beam wasn’t so sturdy. So that didn’t work out. I had a funny feeling that huge play by Chacon was going to loom large, though. Again kudos to Eric Karros, who said before the start of the ninth that the Chacon play gave you the feeling that the momentum had swung back to the Yanks, even though they were down a run. And Jeter singles, and Giambino…..wow.
The standings have been completely revamped as of today, with the Yanks in front in the wild-card and a loss-column game back in the AL East. It won’t stay this way for long. There are too many good teams that will be battling all year long. It is, however, a confirmation of what we’ve been saying at BPS all along. The Yanks are right there with all of these teams. They played the teeth of their schedule early on, and nobody else had. Now it’s starting to even out. And the Yanks beat everybody. Good teams, bad teams, doesn’t matter. They know how to win. The big news of today isn’t that the Yanks are back into a playoff spot. It’s that the Yanks are tough as nails, and have proven it time and time again. If we do get any meaningful contribution from The Lion, Sheffield, or Dotel this year, we will be better than everybody. Everybody.
I was watching some ESPN show this morning, and Steve Phillips was spewing so much mis-information about Allie-Boy that I wanted to puke. “The fans have turned against him.” “He gets booed when the line-ups are announced.” “They’ll never be happy with him.” “Yankees fans have been tremendously unfair to him.” Hey Steve, how many Yankee games have you watched, let alone been to? Are you kidding me? Dude, I’m at these games. I’m in the stands, and if I’m not I’m watching on TV. It is a fair representation to say that there is a noticeable smattering of boos when he makes out. It is not a resounding chorus of boos. The vast majority of Yankee fans are rooting for him every time out, and are just as disappointed as he is when he makes out. The media has created this story, so I guess they figure they’ll ride it for all it’s worth. But anybody who is looking to retain any credibility should get the facts first-hand.
Headed to Alaska tomorrow, boys, so I’m not sure if I’ll be in or out of pocket. I’m back in NY on Monday. Worst-case scenario I’ll see you then. Till then, Ras, they’re all yours….
i had SUCH an old school feeling at the start of the Texas game on Wednesday
(when i say Old School, i mean the days of Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Graig Nettles, and Thurman Munson)
doesn't Sal Fasano remind you of Thurman Munson? i mean, what baseball player sports an old school 70's ***** thick mustache like that?
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OK, let's keep this going till our leader gets back. I'll start: Who's out there for starting pitching that is good (can go deep in a game)and won't cost us Melky, Proctor and Hughes? I have a funny feeling Chacon will come up big in the pen. He showed me a lot of composure last night. I'd deal Wright in a minute. Mr.Breakable (ala Pavano) too...Wright just can't go beyond the fifth...we need better than that !
Ras #45
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I think the best possible pitcher we could get is Livan. He is quite a liaility but he is a innings-eater and that would help. Great game yesterday and a great finish by the Giambino to bring us another whole game closer to the AL East lead. I wish we could keep the momentum going by playing today but I will settle for a win tommorow. Go Yanks!!
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No kidding Mr. BPS on the Karros points. I was thinking the same thing last night in watching that game. He should do the games solo. I’m sorry, but O’Brien is and will always be a joke. If I have to listen to him go ad-nauseaum one more time about A-Rod being “lustfully” booed I am going to scream. For those so called experts like Steve Phillips (who by the way is no longer a GM for a reason-trade for Mo Vaughan why don’t ya?) etc. who think that all “Yankee Fans” boo Allie-Boy they must have never been to Yankee Stadium when the place is a singular voice such as the “Whose Your Daddy?” or the “Paul Ohhhh-Neil”chants. The key word these dopes use is “Yankee Fans” meaning all of us! My point is if all of us were booing the guy he would cower in the corner of the third base bag, rocking back and forth and whimpering. This whole A-Rod thing IS a media sponsored event. A new-fangled “Yellow Journalism” for the sport obsessed.
Ras, not sure anyone is out there to get that would be worth the price pitching-wise. I am sure the Yanks could get Livan but I am afraid a name would be uttered that I am not prepared as of yet to see in another uniform. That would be Melky. I DO NOT WANT HIM OFF THIS TEAM!!! I think the only way Wright is moved is if he is a part of some sort of package deal that the Yanks get shortchanged on. If that were to happen I wouldn’t think it would go down till after the season. Pitching is way too thin across both leagues.
No kidding Level, I thought it was the 80’s again last night and Fassano had morphed into Steve Balboni.
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Where are the Red Sox fans that complain that all the calls go the Yankees way?
oh right.
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rocco-WE complain when the yankees win!
-kaylee
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Everyone: Kaylee is now officially know as the Boston Puppy. She followed me to my new blog....
Ras #45
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Boston Puppy sounds too cute for Kaylee and everyone loves a puppy so this terminology doesn't work.
Kaylee is more of an infestation that has to be carved out and killed - similar to what the Tunnel Rats did in 'Nam.
Or you can say that Kaylee represents a "bug problem" that the BPS has, similar to common household pests like ants or termites.
Yea, this is better - how about the Boston Cockroach? Or simply the Boston Pest?
Anyone else . . .
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I've got a question.
Does anyone understand the sort order on the Active Blogs list?
I have to scroll down like forever to get to it.
It has more active postings than those blogs above it.
It starts with 'B'.
Why is it 48th from the bottom with over 300 Blogs?
Is Mark a closet Boston fan?
Is Kaylee running the website?
Is the site run by a mouseball manufacturer?
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Here is a revolutionary concept Raoul, why not just add it to your "favorites?"
no fuss
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I like Puppy but you are right it is too nice. It's still funny though. Boston **** perhaps?
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I like "puppy" because puppies are young and misguided....just as our friend is. Plus I came up with it so I am a bit biased
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"...why not just add it to your "favorites?"..."
No can do.
Red Sox fan. :(
I'll just buy stock in a mouseball factory.
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THis rain in boston can stop soon so they can play!
-kaylee
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Latest trade news: The Phils have said they won't ask for Hughes; looks like it'll be Abreu and Lieber...opinions on Lieber?????
Ras #45
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somebody tell big sloppi that was clutch
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I like Lieber, another ground ball pitcher. He has handled the pressure in NY before and I wasn't too happy when they let him go the first time. Great performance by Wang tonight, way to set the tone for the series. Let's get game 2 tommorow, let's go Yanks!!
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Wang and Lieber? sign me up for the dinner and serve me some stew.
eelyak...ripped syndicate!
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Nice to see Evil Randy show up again
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Happy a day to forget for sure...tommorow is Moose and he's been pitching great. Let it roll the Yankees back and if you remember what happened last time we caught a beatdown like that, we had a bit of attitude after that which this team can sure use. Let's GO Yanks!!
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I liked that win by the red sox today ohhhhhhhh and the yankees ummm...Lost!we are still 1.5 game ahead of the yankees
-kaylee
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Ras, if that trade goes through who do the Phils end of getting?
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The rumors I'm hearing is that Proctor may be involved. If that's the case, look for a deal with Pittsburgh for Torres or Roberto Hernandez. Cash HAS to make a second deal if Proctor's involved, IMO. Ras #45
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It's official, Abreu and Lidle for the Yankees 2005 1st round draft pick Henry, reliever Matt Smith and two players from the Gulf Coast League. Abreu's option won't have to be picked up but his salary for the next two years is like 22 mil, I don't know what Lidle will be getting.
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YANKEES WON ON A JOHNNY DAMON HOMER?.WELL THE RED SOX ARE GUNNA WIN TOO SO YANKEES WONT GAIN GROUND ON US!
-kaylee
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can you make any more baserunning mistakes than the angels have already?
-kaylee
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Guess the mistakes didn't matter much, it would have made the beating the Sox took worse. Bloody Sock didn't have it today too bad...
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Did anyone happen to catch "Goodman's" face when Vlady hit that homerun off of him?
Priceless
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yeah his face was hilarious... it made my night.
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Late post - brought the win home for your guys/gals on Friday. Loved watching Wang pitch and I called the Bernie homer - I even respected the BPS tradition with a helping of Dippin' Dots (after two dogs, of course). Interesting superfrozen ice cream dots.
Too bad the wife fell whilst walking back to the car right in front of the Yankee store. Was kinda' funny, she didn't appreciate the laughter. oops.
Fans showed love for Arod, didn't hear any boos, but plenty of cheers. All in all, the Bernie HR made it a great game to attend.
Another series won, lets keep rolling.
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Oh, and isn't this new deal with Abreu gonna' **** Sheffield off? They might not pick him up for next year. Comments?
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Sheffield's the girl you've fooled around with since sophomore year who's expecting the token invite to the prom. But instead you ask the smokin' hot exchange student that just arrived from Nicaragua.
Is Cashman TRYING to push Sheffield over the edge?
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I say don't pick up the option on Sheff's contract and use that money you saved on getting Zito in the offseason.
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Nice comparison gjp that was pretty funny. I agree with Happy in that we should keep the money and go after Zito. He needs a change of scenery, all of his old staff-mates have left, and there are some former teammates in Damon and Giambi to make the transition easier. Sheff is going to be a cancer for sure now that Cashman has made his mind up about who is going to play RF. Cash did great in upgrading our #5 starter and getting another On Base machine in Abreu. I am really excited to see the game on Tuesday, and I am expecting Abreu to make a splash!!
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IF ABREU COULD HIT!THAT WOULD BE NIcE!
-kaylee
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That is still me THE BOSTSTON PUPPY as ras says I just got a different mlb account!
-kaylee
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