Boston and Bernie
A couple of issues have emerged in the commentary. Is Boston done? Since Bernie is so clearly done as a centerfielder, why does Joda keep sending him out there?
I have no opinion on the first question, beyond a maybe. I do have a sense of why they are having trouble though, other than the obvious, injuries and a mediocre rotation. Timlin and Papelbon have started to unravel lately, costing Boston what had been the key to their success so far this season, the bullpen. My guess is their tired, and this is not so much the result of the shaky starters, though that's part of it, but also the diminished offense that boston has featured by comparison to both 2004 and last year. With Varitek hitting, Mueller still on the team, Todd Walker hitting for power at 2nd, and of course Manny and Ortiz, Boston blew alot of people away in 2004-5, giving their bullpen ample rest. All the focus on the late innings heroics of Ortiz et al this year signifies how much more consistently Boston is involved in close contests that require their set-up man and closer to show up for work. Remember neither Timlin nor Papelbon is in the prime of his athletic life: Timlin is an old man and Papelbon is not only very young but has never weathered the rigors of a full MLB season (see Cano last year). So long as neither had to pitch too regularly, this wouldn't have posed a problem. But I hardly think it a coincidence that just as the dog days are kicking in, Timlin and Papelbon are scuffling. Something to watch for.
As for Bernie (and refraining for once from my Bubba-lament), when Damon came out last night, torre put Abreu in center and Wilson in right, only to change things, much for the worse, in the later innings. Bernie as defensive replacement, now that's the kind of joke that can only be greeted, as James Joyce said, "with the derision of the desparate." What I would like to know is first, why isn't Abreu Torre's first choice for defensive replacement in center and second, where, if anyone knows, is the NY media in all this. I mean it is obvious to all of us and so I am sure obvious to most yankee observers, that williams cannon play CF a lick anymore. Do reporters ask Joda at these press conferences, why Bernie is trotted out there to his own embarassment and the Yankees peril? Does anyone bother to ask, "Joe, we can all see that williams is no longer competent to play center, why can't you?" and if not, why not?
I have no opinion on the first question, beyond a maybe. I do have a sense of why they are having trouble though, other than the obvious, injuries and a mediocre rotation. Timlin and Papelbon have started to unravel lately, costing Boston what had been the key to their success so far this season, the bullpen. My guess is their tired, and this is not so much the result of the shaky starters, though that's part of it, but also the diminished offense that boston has featured by comparison to both 2004 and last year. With Varitek hitting, Mueller still on the team, Todd Walker hitting for power at 2nd, and of course Manny and Ortiz, Boston blew alot of people away in 2004-5, giving their bullpen ample rest. All the focus on the late innings heroics of Ortiz et al this year signifies how much more consistently Boston is involved in close contests that require their set-up man and closer to show up for work. Remember neither Timlin nor Papelbon is in the prime of his athletic life: Timlin is an old man and Papelbon is not only very young but has never weathered the rigors of a full MLB season (see Cano last year). So long as neither had to pitch too regularly, this wouldn't have posed a problem. But I hardly think it a coincidence that just as the dog days are kicking in, Timlin and Papelbon are scuffling. Something to watch for.
As for Bernie (and refraining for once from my Bubba-lament), when Damon came out last night, torre put Abreu in center and Wilson in right, only to change things, much for the worse, in the later innings. Bernie as defensive replacement, now that's the kind of joke that can only be greeted, as James Joyce said, "with the derision of the desparate." What I would like to know is first, why isn't Abreu Torre's first choice for defensive replacement in center and second, where, if anyone knows, is the NY media in all this. I mean it is obvious to all of us and so I am sure obvious to most yankee observers, that williams cannon play CF a lick anymore. Do reporters ask Joda at these press conferences, why Bernie is trotted out there to his own embarassment and the Yankees peril? Does anyone bother to ask, "Joe, we can all see that williams is no longer competent to play center, why can't you?" and if not, why not?
posted by joe valente | 2:09 PM
3 Comments:
Yeah, from the little I saw this summer, I don't expect anything in the way of critical analysis from YES.
But where are the beat guys from the Times or Post. Why aren't they raising these questions.
As for the connection to FOX, that's just too heinous to be believed. I didn't know about AROD's contribution to W.'s campaign. It seems so unlike him to do anything that polarizing or controversial.
Yeah, I've been listening to games on the radio while waiting for my cable to be hooked up, and I keep hearing those damn Fox News plugs from John Sterling (who I hate far more than Michael Kay). The deal between Fox and the Yanks goes beyond YES network and includes 880 am apparently.
There's also a ridiculous ad for Beni-Hana (sp?) that begins with Susan Waldman saying, "Hideki Matsui may be out, but you don't have to miss out on Beni-Hana." What? Do you get it? Hideki Matsui is Japanese. And Beni-Hana is a Japanese restaurant. Do you see?
By the way, John Sterling has now taken further to expanding his vocabulary (or should I say "Yankabulary" in his honor). Not only are we treated to "Jeterian" hits but now all home runs by Johnny Damon are referred to as "Damonic" (is there a pun on "demonic"? who knows, it's Sterling). He's driving me insane. It's gotten to where I almost don't want anyone to homer, because he has a stupid call for each player's homer--Giambino, Damonic, A-Bomb from A-Rod, etc. I wish I could get Jim Kaat and Ken Singleton; they were by far the best Yanks announcers.
Finally, why did the game start so late tonight? I missed the beginning. Rain? Or was a plane delayed?
Rain delay. 1 hour 26 minutes.
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