Amazing they got this game in. The way it looked just past 7 o'clock, I didn't know if my flight on Friday would get off the ground, let alone the Yankees and Tigers would play. It was bad, as you'll see below in my previous post. But they played baseball, and the Yankees were pleased for that, as you can imagine.
On a day when the Yankees likely lost Gary Sheffield to yet another stint on the disabled list, this time for who knows how long, many positive things happened.
-- Mike Mussina. What else can you say about him? Back in spring training he said he realized the Yankees wouldn't pick up his $17 million option for 2007 "unless I win 25 games." The way he's been pitching, is 25 out of the question? Last night he even yelled at Joe Torre and got him to go back into the dugout in the ninth before the manager even got out of it to take Mussina out with two outs in the ninth inning. And get this nugget: During the rain delay, Mussina wasn't fretting. He was too busy with Aaron Small and bullpen catcher Mike Borzello trying to come up with actors and actresses who had three different television hits. More on that in today's game story.
-- Alex Rodriguez. With so many big players out of the lineup (Damon, Jeter, Matsui, Sheffield), Rodriguez stepped up, and looking as if he's entering a zone. He basically reached out and lifted a low outside pitch to the wall in right-center for a run-scoring triple. And he was heads-up on the bases, running aggressively at the urging of third-base coach Larry Bowa, scoring on a grounder to first with the infield in.
-- Yankees fans. Kevin Thompson is on his way to Detroit to be activated for tonight's game, and surely Yankee fans everywhere are rejoicing. While no one would trade Sheffield for Thompson, Yankee fans have been calling for Thompson's callup from Triple-A Columbus for ages, and they are frustrated each time he's passed over. Brian Cashman has even received emails from fans about this.
Speaking of Yankee fans' love of some of their prospects, check out this Web site: www.freecolterbean.com. I'm sure you can figure out what it's about.
Comments (2)
A-Rod is going to be mentioned with Ruth, Gehrig, Joe D. Mantle, etc. when his days as a Yankee are done. The guy gets criticized by both fans and players everyday, yet he does his best without a whimper. Best of all, his desire to be a Yankee was so great, that he agreed to learn a new position. The Yankees are very lucky to have a player with his ability and dedication on their team.
It has been a pleasure watching the series with the Tigers. Role players stepping to the plate and performing. Melky and Andy blending with the veterans. It reminds me when the Yankee farm system produce new blood and the team never missed a step. I hope George and the higher ups will continue to pull from the minors when necessary. I rather see a reaching out for pitching if the kids are not ready not outfielders and infielders.
Cairo was just great. Hopefully Joe will rest A-rod and Derek occassionally. There appears to be a good chemistry flowing while the injured players are healing.