On the Yankees beat

I feel really bad about Pettitte. The guy is pitching his heart out and nothing to show for it.

Our offense is offensive.

Changes need to be made and made now.

By the way, why didn't Torre put Bruney in the game instead of Proctor?

With one out and the go ahead run on third why go with Proctor? He was touched up in his last outing and it was mentioned in the papers today that he had a stomach virus. He wasn't even supposed to be available. What the hell!? He is usually a fly ball/strike out pitcher and if he’s not 100% why even try it. Torre should have gone with Bruney there. Andy looked pissed that he was yanked and he looked like he’s lost his trust in the bullpen. 24 runs in 22 innings in relief of Andy, our best pitcher, is not gonna git er done. I did like the pinch-hit move (Torre showing signs of life during the game) and that we were able to get a run back right away.

Andy and the rest of the infield were caught sleeping. Ironic that today the Yankees took in-field practice before batting practice.

Should Alex have let that ball go foul? It looked like it was going foul. Looked like Posada might have said something to Alex about that play right after the out was called at 1B.

Andy should have more wins, he's been dealt a tough hand by his offense.

DAM IT!!!

i dont fault a-rod for not letting that go foul...he had no choice but to pick it up and get the sure out.

these demoralizing 1 run loses (on top of many other embarassing loses this season) are what going make that yankee lockeroom a powder keg ready to blow.

still can't believe the first two months of season have gone this way. after setting a bad tone starting pavano opening day, yanks ride the momentum of a-rod all april, and have a perfect opportunity to get off on good foot.

havent given up yet. still believe yanks can pull something off

Does anyone else see what I'm seeing? I had a brilliant idea during the game! A bit out of the box, but one I think should have been used.

Let's see now, the game is on the line in the 8th after another brilliant outing by Pettitte. Why not bring in our BEST RP in that situation? That's right, our CLOSER to SAVE the game. I know he's well rested (unlike the rest of the bullpen)!

Then, once he SAVES the game in the 8th, the rest of the pen can start fresh with the bases empty in the 9th so we can pull out a win. Why doesn't anyone think like this? Everything doesn't have to be done BY THE BOOK!!! The game needed SAVED in the 8th, so use your SAVER in the situation that calls for it! Besides, Mo needs some work. What better situation for him to get some? Get rid of Torre now and hire me George! I'll show you how you get some frickin wins!!!

Jeff: you, and the rest of us watching knew Proctor was not a good call. Problem is Torre didn't. Why are we letting Bruney watch on the sidelines? This kid is aggressive in the strike zone and he can over power hitters. I'm not down on Proctor but he is just getting over a stomach virus and he was touched up the last time he was on the mound so common sense says lets try something else.

The offense should have blown things open after the 2 errors. Posada came through then Giambi strikes out and Abreu grounds out. Last year the offense would have batted around and made the Jays really pay for those errors.

Say what you will about last years exit of the play-offs but the offense had no problem scoring runs on a regular basis during the season.

Holy cow, I think Bob Lorenz said Proctor punched a wall. Just great.

Joe Torre used Proctor because he's loyal to certain pitchers. Torre is done and washed up - he should resign and gracefully exit stage left so that Joe Girardi can try and right the ship. Complacent Joe Torre's mind is with his brother Frank and not with the Yankees. Also, they need to get rid of that useless hitting coach, Kevin Long who never has faced big league pitching.

Hey Rick long time no see. Good point. Why not Mo for 2? He hasn't pitched often and rarely gets a chance at a save because the wins are lopsided or we're loosing in the 9th. Why not Bruney?

Torre said he wouldn't use Mo for 2 this year in ST but I think the book needs to be tossed and we need to do what ever it takes to win. I hate it when he makes declarations before a game like Mo’s not available for 2 or this guys on a pitch count, etc. TMI. The game should dictate what happens there shouldn’t be a strict plan before the game. It’s baseball! ANY THING CAN HAPPEN! A win today could have given us a chance to win the series.

Look at Joe's eyes during the post-game. The man looks beaten and defeated. George would be doing him a great favor by letting him go. It's scary watching Joe now.

the hitting coach is the next one to go.

too many good hitters failing that is not good usally reflects the hitting coach. You can see the flops when they bat up.

Could you really not see the flaws from the begining?? SURE!!! From spring training you saw the flaws. I am used to just viewing this blog and never commenting but I remember people on here stating on how the YOUTH was the energy and out playing the regulars in ST. people debated saying excuses but the proof was right there the regulars was dull lifeless. By watching these games and being a former coach in the minors I can tell you that the offense has a uniformed struggle. I won't get into wether or not the Manager or GM should be doomed but I know when flaws occur from "result" coaches like hitting coaches.

however if I was GM and had to make moves the first casualty would be the 1b situation somebody has to go. the problem however with releasing players is this ..

If they are released and moves on to another team and do well then the problem is what I first mention above. result coaching.

I would then DL Giambi face it he is not healthy. move matsui to the team call up some "YOUTHFUL SPIRIT's" and let them "battle with melky for the LF situation. I would have the Hitting coach or demand mattingly to work with ABreau to either save your season or to trade away. I would release a reliever and back up INF call up more youth and the more they excel the further I'll push for trade talks for the Vets.

Melky the only way I start him in the OF is if better options are playing the other two positions. I would experiment by playing him along with another young OF together in the OF hoping that would propel some excitment. I seen many OF's and melky is a dime in a dozen I like the kid but he has'nt won over the jury in my court. From my conversation with my fellow Minor League people they tell me that the hope is for the other OF prospects to excel , making melky expendable to trade. at this rate the Yankees are almost forced to make a play for a Torre Hunter, Or Jones , I prefer Hunter and I think his play would rub off on a melky.

an OF of damon hunter and melky would be atlethic if melky's offense improves.

that is it for now good night and be good.

I hope Proctor didn't hurt himself. That would be a real bonehead move. I saw him punch the wall as he went into the clubhouse, I hope it was padded. We don't need any more bad news.

I can't bear to watch the post game that's why I'm on line. If I hear: Frustrating, Turn this around, It's early, We're better than this, yada yada yada I'm going to hurl something at my TV so I've decided not to watch the post game. I've seen it all already. There won't be any new comments until the ship this headed in the right direction.

funny a-rod gave all the credit for his torrid start to kevin long. however, it was a-rod's 25 million worth of talent and skill to do that well. in contrast, why look to a batting coach as an escape goat. as a major league hitter, i'd be more inclined to blame my 10 million dollar swing, plate coverage, and discipline, rather than a batting coach.

is it really kevin long's fault that cano swings at anything wihtin 10 feet of him, that abreu is a headcase, giambi is swinging on one foot and damon can't stand up? these aren't excuses, just the state of yanks hitting.

RICK
Proctor is not the SO pitcher Bruney is .Proctor has difficulty getting the 1st batter he faces out.Torre should know this.
When I say Torre is a pushbutton manager who doesn't risk stepping out of his obsessive habit of going to the "tried and true" he fails as a manager and I get blamed for not knowing what I'm talking about.
Torre thwarts other players confidence like Bruney who has been a great acquisition ,he can't line up the ducks in row like in the old days Mendoza Nelson Stanton Rivera.He's being forced by circumstance to try new things and he ain't doing it.
AROD is not getting any protection in the lineup so he's back to doing what he did last year when Matsui and Sheff went down.
One way to shake this team up outside of firing the manager is shipping Cano and Melky to SWB for a little respite.Just like they did to Righetti in 1982 when he failed to throw strikes.
Let Phillips and Cairo play 2nd and give Thompson a shot can't be any worse than Melky

I knew that the game was over when the Jays scored on the sac fly in the 8th. ONE RUN AND i KNEW THAT WE WERE BEAT!!!

Whoever this guy Knowledge is, he makes sense. I said the same thing about Giambi in other posts: he's not healthy and he's not helping the team. DL him and get his foot fixed!!

Also, I said that Abreu needs to make adjustments. I'm done talking about him cause I don't want to drive you guys crazy with my constant ranting about that.

I don't want Torre fired, but the ONE thing that he does that I'd like to fit some "concrete goloshes" on him for is his constant use of the same, tired guys. Why Proctor and not Bruney? He needs to start trusting his other guys more. I don't get why he's so thick-headed about that!

I'm tired of the excuses. If these guys can't do the job, get rid of their a$$es! If we couldn't do our jobs, we'd get canned!

Why not them?

they lost because my beloved yanks stink. torre did no wrong.. the yacannot hit because of the players not kevin long, be real..

for the whole yr. basically nothing has gone right another 1 run loss, no clutchhitting all defensive mistakes come back to haunt them...

Another great pitching performance by Petitte goes down the toilet!!!

If I was Petitte, I'd be "talking" to some of those guys!!!

I don't know about any of you, but I really don't want to watch them at all this weekend. It's like watching a sick animal suffer.

I'll feel better by tomorrow.

Man, this really ruins my evenings!

Good night Guys!

Andy's should have better fate and 8 wins right now if not for Yankees offense continued to be pathetic and Yankees bullpen blowing up games lead.

Yankees having bad year because of bad karma and negative energy surrounds this team. It's called bad luck ,that's what Redsox experience last year.I blame Damon's and Doug Mienkencrap for bringing up curse of bambino to the Yankees.I hate wait two more years until damon's contract runs out.

Changes definitly need to be made but I am not sure what they are. If we can Torre that puts Don in a bad spot, and that would be a shame to do that to Donny. If you fire Cash, who takes over for him? If you make a trade you don't want to sell off the farm because we have a ton of talent in the farm system. So I am not sure what there is to do to make this team better.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loses the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.

The Yankees have now lost 11 out of 16 and eight out of 12 of those so-called "measuring stick" games against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox and Angels.

Today's 4-3 loss was yet another excruciating episode of the Yanks not playing a complete game. Mike Mussina pitched well -- kudos to fellow blogger Charlie DeBiase Jr. for calling it -- but the bullpen -- bull's eye on Scott Proctor in the Top 7th -- collapsed.

Joe Torre pulled Moose with one on, one out in the 7th. His pitch count was at 95.

Would I have pulled Mussina? No. But there have been times when Mussina has been kept in longer and then blew the lead himself.

But as long as Joe was going by the numbers, didn't he know Howie Kendrick was 2-2 lifetime (2 doubles) against Proctor (now 3-3, 3 doubles)?

Let's face it. Three at bats is not much of a sample. No matter, Proctor has to come in and do the job.

After Kendrick doubled, I thought Proctor had pinch hitter Erick Aybar struck out on an 0-2 curve. He didn't get the call.

Nonethless, he couldn't put him away. And he then walked Shone Figgins.

Brian Bruney was needed to put out the fire.

In the end, the Yankees again woke up too late -- and couldn't get that last big hit. I blame Johnny Damon in the bottom of the 9th for this one. First and second no out, 3-2 count. A walk or a hit and I'm convinced Yanks would've pulled this one out. While I feel Damon is trying, I also get the feeling sometimes he's still mentally on the Red Sox.

Damon is a gamer, but his body is beaten and battered.

I'm not going to blame Derek Jeter for not getting a two-out hit.

Just a thought: Because the Yankees had rested Damon and Jorge Posada (who singled in the 9th), the Bombers for a day felt like they had a real bench. Wouldn't it be nice to have professional hitters available every day during crunch time?

What's disappointing is while Jeter was battling Frankie Rodriguez with two out and first and third, did anybody see ONE Yankee on the top step rooting him on?

Meanwhile, Brian "On the big hook" Cashman needs to make some moves now...Fortify the bench, release Mike Myers and Miguel Cairo, trade Kyle "100 miles an hour" Farnsworth to either the Astros or the Phillies -- and yes, bring back Bernie.

If there's anybody out there who doesn't think that move was strictly personal, then they aren't paying attention. Bernie is a switch hitter, who ironically right now is probably healthier than Damon and hungrier than Abreu.

And this is no Bernie pity party. Last year he hit 12 HRs, drove in 61 runs and batted .281. He had 118 hits.

As for the $1 million Bernie contract? Hey Cash-Man, you're already shelling out $4 million for Jaret Wright NOT to play for the Yanks and TO play (or be on the DL ) for the Orioles, a team in your own division.

What I would do short term is call up Andy Phillips and play him at first with Mientkiewicz, put Melky in left and make Matsui the DH. I would DL Giambi. As for first base, did you notice slick-fielding lefty Carlos Pena is batting over .300 for the Rays? Yanks once had him, played him in the minors and then released him.

Anyway, when Roger Clemens comes back within the next 2 weeks, the rotation will be Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mussina -- and either Clippard or DeSalvo. Let one of those rookies be the long man.

And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loses the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.

The Yankees have now lost 11 out of 16 and eight out of 12 of those so-called "measuring stick" games against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox and Angels.

Today's 4-3 loss was yet another excruciating episode of the Yanks not playing a complete game. Mike Mussina pitched well -- kudos to fellow blogger Charlie DeBiase Jr. for calling it -- but the bullpen -- bull's eye on Scott Proctor in the Top 7th -- collapsed.

Joe Torre pulled Moose with one on, one out in the 7th. His pitch count was at 95.

Would I have pulled Mussina? No. But there have been times when Mussina has been kept in longer and then blew the lead himself.

But as long as Joe was going by the numbers, didn't he know Howie Kendrick was 2-2 lifetime (2 doubles) against Proctor (now 3-3, 3 doubles)?

Let's face it. Three at bats is not much of a sample. No matter, Proctor has to come in and do the job.

After Kendrick doubled, I thought Proctor had pinch hitter Erick Aybar struck out on an 0-2 curve. He didn't get the call.

Nonethless, he couldn't put him away. And he then walked Shone Figgins.

Brian Bruney was needed to put out the fire.

In the end, the Yankees again woke up too late -- and couldn't get that last big hit. I blame Johnny Damon in the bottom of the 9th for this one. First and second no out, 3-2 count. A walk or a hit and I'm convinced Yanks would've pulled this one out. While I feel Damon is trying, I also get the feeling sometimes he's still mentally on the Red Sox.

Damon is a gamer, but his body is beaten and battered.

I'm not going to blame Derek Jeter for not getting a two-out hit.

Just a thought: Because the Yankees had rested Damon and Jorge Posada (who singled in the 9th), the Bombers for a day felt like they had a real bench. Wouldn't it be nice to have professional hitters available every day during crunch time?

What's disappointing is while Jeter was battling Frankie Rodriguez with two out and first and third, did anybody see ONE Yankee on the top step rooting him on?

Meanwhile, Brian "On the big hook" Cashman needs to make some moves now...Fortify the bench, release Mike Myers and Miguel Cairo, trade Kyle "100 miles an hour" Farnsworth to either the Astros or the Phillies -- and yes, bring back Bernie.

If there's anybody out there who doesn't think that move was strictly personal, then they aren't paying attention. Bernie is a switch hitter, who ironically right now is probably healthier than Damon and hungrier than Abreu.

And this is no Bernie pity party. Last year he hit 12 HRs, drove in 61 runs and batted .281. He had 118 hits.

As for the $1 million Bernie contract? Hey Cash-Man, you're already shelling out $4 million for Jaret Wright NOT to play for the Yanks and TO play (or be on the DL ) for the Orioles, a team in your own division.

What I would do short term is call up Andy Phillips and play him at first with Mientkiewicz, put Melky in left and make Matsui the DH. I would DL Giambi. As for first base, did you notice slick-fielding lefty Carlos Pena is batting over .300 for the Rays? Yanks once had him, played him in the minors and then released him.

Anyway, when Roger Clemens comes back within the next 2 weeks, the rotation will be Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Mussina -- and either Clippard or DeSalvo. Let one of those rookies be the long man.

And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.

The Yankees have now lost 11 out of 16 and eight out of 12 of those so-called "measuring stick" games against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox and Angels.

Brian "On the big hook" Cashman needs to make some moves now...Fortify the bench, release Mike Myers and Miguel Cairo, trade Kyle "100 miles an hour" Farnsworth to either the Astros or the Phillies -- and yes, bring back Bernie.

If there's anybody out there who doesn't think that move was strictly personal, then they aren't paying attention. Bernie is a switch hitter, who ironically right now is probably healthier than Damon and hungrier than Abreu.

And this is no Bernie pity party. Last year he hit 12 HRs, drove in 61 runs and batted .281. He had 118 hits.

As for the $1 million Bernie contract? Hey Cash-Man, you're already shelling out $4 million for Jaret Wright NOT to play for the Yanks and TO play (or be on the DL ) for the Orioles, a team in your own division.

And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.

The Yankees have now lost 11 out of 16 and eight out of 12 of those so-called "measuring stick" games against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox and Angels.

And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.

The Yankees have now lost 11 out of 16 and eight out of 12 of those so-called "measuring stick" games against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox and Angels.

And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

I have to say it is quite boring this year to watch the Sox and not have any edge of my seat drama like years before when if they were to lose, they would either lose ground on the Yanks or give up ground. The lead the Sox have is really laughable..for me that is..I am sure it is far from laughable from you Yankee fans. I wonder how the Yankee fans feel about paying a guy like Clemens so much money, and saving him for the White Sox series when he is clearly ready for the Red Sox series. I think Torre is lucky he has a good excuse... which one of the 3 pitchers would he pull in place of Clemens... Anyway, I feel for the Yankee fans. I have been in your seats as recently as late last summer after NY came through town and slaughtered our team, along with the injuries we had.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.
And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel, Fire Joe Torre and everybody else out there...I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.
And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with. But it worked for Terry Francona back in 2004 when he was desperate and the Yanks choked away the ALCS to the Red Sox.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

To Jeff, Miguel etc

I'm a blogger who loves the NEWSDAY group, but I wrote this about Mo on Sunday..please read on...It's also at silive.com..Here's an excerpt..

It's titled:

We play today, we lose today, das it!

It was Mariano Duncan who coined the Yankees' 1996 rally cry, "We play today, we win today, das it..."

Good friend Allieboy notes that when it comes to today's Yanks, it's more like "We play today, we lose today, das it."

And that's certainly what it feels like.
And being that the Yanks are in dire straits here, I will suggest a move that Joe will not resort to -- and many fans -- will NOT agree with.

Ready? From here on in, Mariano Rivera is not the CLOSER. He is the FIREMAN. Like the days of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage, I want Joe to bring in Mariano for the most important outs...not the last three outs.

Sparky Lyle wasn't a closer. He was a "fireman," who ended rallies whenever needed. It says here that Joe Torre should use Mariano the same way.
Today, that would have been in the top of the seventh.

Crazy you say? Is it any crazier than the fact that Mariano didn't even make it into the game? Or the fact that with the game in the balance, Proctor was your man?

Call me nuts, but I'm not ready to give up.

And I can't just sit here and do nothing either.

Hello I'm back

to answer ones questions about the hitting coach , yes he can be blamed may not be the prime reason but when you dealing with a 200 million payroll and players that had GOOD offensive seasons the prior year and now the lineup is suffering something has to give.

First the Yankees brain trust was not using logic when mattingly was promoted. what was the rush. they assumed that the offense would play it out themselves . really???? so why the need for a coach if that is true? is is not true so lets eliminate that theory. a lifetime 300 hitter does'nt hit 230 overnight add that to the fact that a player who was 3rd place in the batting race. is hitting suffering this year?? while there is a decline in HR's hitting overall is doing well. so blame should not be placed on the coach right?? wrong! the blame is placed just as much as praise is given if the Team is leading the league in hitting. so cano is swinging at everything , abreau is slumping, same with damon , matsui etc. ok cano like i said is free swinging Where is the hitting coach telling him to calm down take pitches stop swinging at etc. and if he does not comply where is the Manager to yell at him or too bench him. The Issue is this you have TOO MANY hitters struggling and that does not look well for the coach. Honestly this was known in Spring Training I saw some later games and saw it myself that the vets was doing well something was wrong . I also felt abreau was rushed back from his injury he could still ahve effects of his injury he was supposed to start the season on the DL he should have in reality been back earlier this month. playing in that april cold could NOT have helped him. There are things I can say but I'm not into getting involved with yankee politics, been there done that.

I must add ..

Most of the post are regarding the Pitching today and that is wrong they gave up three runs today and the yankees record for one run games is very poor. To blast a pitcher for giving up a SAC fly is obviously covering up the obvious that the lineup stinks. Gary sheffield had 5 rbi's tonight that would have won the game in toronto. the pitching is getting better the lineup and the CLUTCH is the obivious issue.

jermaine dye is on the block along with berhle should the yankees make an atempt?? I say yes but not for bobby abreau (he should be used for prospects in a greater value trade, now if chicago is going to give up both players for a bobby abreau and lower chip prospects

the fury of clemens will be useful in the clubhouse. here is what i think should happen. they should make farnsworth disappear. like when roger arrives, just send him to bolivia. in a villa, surrounded by tortoises and peacocks with plenty of guava juice and eggs so he is happy.

then all of baseball will ask, “what happened to kyle farsworth?” the yankees can be coy and say something like, “oh, we are trying to find out, it’s kind of like with bubba tramell. hey check out the new iphone!” this will distract people, while the yankees reel off win after win like a lion eating marzipan chipmunks.

but then, somebody in the clubhouse who takes care of shining the players bats can leak a rumor that the yankees, led by clemens killed and ate kyle farnsworth in a furious ritual. they drank the blood and took the field. in fact, it is rumored that the red woolen glove that torre now wears when he signals for a reliever was inspired by his blood red hand when he devoured farnsworth’s heart.

i know, it’s a crazy rumor but people would be scared facing the yankees because of the possibility that they are a talented team made up of angry cannibals.

The Damon acquisition - those who supported it, show yourselves

The absurdity that was the Damon acquisition has become one of the cornerstone's of the Yank's lost season. Why do I say this....well go ahead and read the recap of tonight's Mets game and you will find REYES all over the Mets momentum and scoring.

"Reyes drew a leadoff walk from Benitez (0-3) and moved up on a balk"............"Reyes provoked Benitez into balking him home..." "Reyes got on and ........etc. etc."

It's called youth and ENERGY, things that tend to create victories, and things that Damon doesn't have.

Who actually believed that Damon was going to be a great leadoff man for the Yanks? Who believed he would solve the Bernie pee-shooter arm in center? Just the other day he bounced a throw to the cutoff man.

The insanity of the acquisition was evident at the time and I said as much.

I had a problem with Damon since the "I'll never play for the Yankees" event, and to me, 2006 would be Matsui at CF (of course I didn't know he would get hurt duh) and Bernie LF, so the Yankees could try to sign Wells or Hunter, but yeah, that wouldn't work either. I started to like him last year, his playing, his attitude and I still do. I think he can sparkle the team, but he's hurt and he needed to go to the DL like 20 days ago, but now, the team can't afford playing without him. So, I didn't support his signing, but I support him since last year and now.

Since when is Damon the team spokesman ? He sounds like a rubber stamp of Torre, "We need to do this - we need to that". He's part of the "we"... so do something about it instead of yapping. He's having as lousy of a year as anybody else and is in no position to talk.

Guys, I will watch the Yankees as I always do but have no expectations for the WC or Divison race. Its over in those regards. I look forward to the team making some moves in the transition phase of getting younger. The team is saddled with bad no trade contracts with Damon, Abreu and Matsui. Their age is starting to show. The lesson in point if your FA contract is given to someone over 30. It better not be for more than 3 years. Giambi, Damon and Matsui, they all fit this mold. Giambi and Damon are folding with injuries. Josh Phelps should hope to be traded. The poor kid is not seen by Torre what so ever. Doug M. is not deserving to play 85% of the games. Every move and trade that Cashman has made is flawed except for the dumping of salary.

How bad can a team with 200 million dollar salary play. We are tied for last place, 14.5 games out with Tampa Bay, total salary 23 million. These guys should be ashamed of their play. Joe is not going to change. He becomes fixed on the solution that was decided upon and will not divert. The lineup especially slumping should include Melky a S/H and Phelps. Abreu and Doug M. look absolutely horrrible. Damon and Giambi should go on the DL. They are of no hope. Bring up younger players. Its Sept. already

The Devil Rays who we are fighting for last place and better draft choices have much OF talent such as Baldelli thou often injured, but a very good righty hitter in exchange for Farnsworthless. Crawford would cost more but hell , the team needs some life. Package some more for Navarro as a better backup catcher who can give Jorge some real time off.

Its time to move people. Also, I indicated that Joe should not be fired but how about reassigned to Customer Relations in Tampa. My thoughts change on Joe after the steal of home plate last night, no freakin anger. This team cannot see past their noses. This is the state of their awareness of the game. Also, it relates to the mgr. How many times did Abreu ground out to the first baseman with runners on? Joe, Abreu needs to sit. As I said before Proctor must used in a special way. Its called wiggle room. Rick Keyes idea of using Mariano in the 8th when the game needs saving is very good. Mariano has not pitched regularly because their are no games to save, Hello!

Please Lord, We need Divine Intervention. Only kidding the first 12 years of my education were in Catholic schools. Thus I know their will be no Divine Intervention. And how do I know. Short Story. I was playing Freshman basketball way back when and a fellow team member steps up to the foul line. He makes the sign of the cross. And the coach former ST. John's U. varsity coach, yells out, If you think Jesus Christ is going to put it in the basket for you. Forget It. The team, and the handful of spectators just roared even the priests in attendance. I guess that you had to be there.

The New A-Rod

From Sam Donnellon of Philly News

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/7722057.html

"Be right back," he said, and given his past good relations with the media, there was no reason to doubt him.

He returned 40 minutes later, but this time with an iPod in his ears, trying to pretend the three men standing in the same spot had disappeared. At one point, a clubhouse helper held the iPod while he dressed, and the iPod remained in his ears for the next 3 1/2 hours as the Yankees waited out a rain delay that eventually became a cancellation.

Now the man most likely to leapfrog over Barry Bonds as the all-time leader in home runs is often guarded, occasionally hostile, and purposefully unenlightening.

"I'm having as much fun as I can, trying to keep it simple," he said that day. "And I really don't give a [bleep] about what most people are thinking or saying."

Meanwhile Dan Mangan of Ny post writes - AROD HITS A STRIP JOINT WITH TORONTO BABE

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05302007/news/..._dan_mangan.htm

May 30, 2007 -- Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate with a mysterious, busty blonde in Toronto, as these intimate, exclusive photos reveal.

The cozy duo dined with two pals at a pricey steakhouse late Sunday night, then headed to a glitzy strip club before making their way to his hotel, where the pair ducked into an elevator and headed upstairs just after midnight.

Cynthia Rodriguez - A-Rod's wife and mother of their 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Natasha - was nowhere to be seen during the slugger's big night out on the town, which occurred the evening before the last-place Bronx Bombers' pathetic 7-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay's payroll is 23 million???? ARod makes more than the entire Tampa Bay team? Clearly there is something wrong there.........

Annoymous: Its his business on how he spends his free time but my all time favorite Mickey Mantle had many reports of his indiscretions real or false. Mickey played on about 7 od 8 WS champ teams. Arod is still waiting to play on one. One ot them could do it both, play and party.

FLahrety"Give toronto pitchers credit"

"They have good stuff".

Again, flahrety making excuses. This team will get nowhere with this mentality and its not just the broadcast booth as we all know.. Torre is chirping along to the same tune.

Lets see what torre has to say about the game.. Will it be more of the same "That guy was just dominating and had great stuff" or will he grow a pair of balls and criticize (well deservedly) his batters.

When we started this series, and learning that Halliday an dBurnett werent even going against us, and we cant take these first two games. what a joke.

Could you imagine what Tampa Bay would be like if the team had the payroll of our leftside of the infield. No knock on Arod or Jeter but this shows how irrational the Yankees pay for FA's or trade in the positional players.

I like the posts on here some great posts made. Larry M, Knowledge and John G, John.

Anyone else think Torre should pick names out of a hat to make a lineup?

I think it worked for Billy Martin.

This team really needs a good kick in the butt. They need to do something because this play is unacceptable to us Yankees fans.

I knew this game was doomed in the very first inning when, with 0 outs and Damon on 1st, Jeter BUNTS into our 1st out!!! Captain Jeter with a .350 batting average and a .425 OBP, Mr. Clutch himself (not Abreu, not Melky, but Jeter), freakin' BUNTS with 0 outs in the first inning!!! What message does this give to both teams other than Desperation, Fear, and Doubt? Damon could possibly have stolen 2nd and we'd still have 0 outs. If he gets caught stealing, at least it's an aggressive out and not a wimpy out. With highly questionable moves like this, is it any wonder Rios steals 3rd and Hill STEALS HOME???? This game was pure Little League. Yes, that move was the omen that sealed the deal for me, realizing this game was doomed before we even had our first out.

Man, we Yankee fans can be a bunch of whiners when things don't go our way. Hey, this team is old, brittle, past it's prime and needs to be rebuilt. Get excited about the future, support your team through thick and thin and deal w/ it.
Some folks are making sense, others are just acting like hypocrites. During the offseason it's "we have to get THAT guy" then when "that" guy doesn't work out, it's the GM's fault and he should be fired. When the manager "overuses" a pitcher, he needs to be fired, when he doesn't use a guy like Mo for two innings in a May game, he should be fired.

Let's be consistent for crying out loud.

consistence runs across the board my friend when the problems are OBVIOUS the recent yankee trust is slow to respond. do not get mad at the fans for they are such. what you have to ponder is .. if the fans see this what is Mgmt looking at? Support for the team is thick and thin that is why you have outrage, what people are supposed to smile about this? that is why you have these boards to vent to discuss.

Larry, I loved your 8:08 post. I enjoyed your short basketball story, which held some spiritual enlightenment.

You said something very interesting and I'm thinking maybe we should soon be "...fighting for last place and better draft choice." As soon as 1st Place and the Wild Card become impossible to achieve (if it isn't already), why don't we just shoot for last place and the best draft choice? Heck, if you can't come in 1st or win the Wild Card, who gives a crap about anything else? Better to come in last and garner some future advantages than come in 3rd or 4th with nothing but a crummy record to show for it. Often teams need to hit rock bottom before climbing back up and you can't get more rock bottom than last place. There comes a time when we have to plan for 2008. Coming out of 2007 in dead last place would be a Yankees franchise record, so we would be leaving this season with one hell of a lasting impression.

Anonymous-
If fans saw this coming, why are they so outraged? You can be mad at management all you want but this day was coming. You as a knowledgeable fan had to know that one of these days the Yanks were going to have to "pay the piper" for all these bad contracts. Let's look at who is untradeable on this team:

A-Rod (no trade clause)
Giambi- Contract/performance
Abreu- Contract/performance
Damon- Contract/performance
Mussina- Contract/performance
Matsui- Maybe?
Posada- No trade clause

Basically, the only players who are trade-able are the ones the Yanks should be building around (Wang, Hughes, Cano, Clippard) so why get mad now? You probably wanted Mussina in 2001, Giambi in 2002, Abreu and Damon last year, but you are not alone. There is always risk involved in signing guys who are inching toward their plateau or are just over it and now it's time to pay up. I've been consistent in saying I thought this team was building for '09, when Hughes would anchor the rotation, Cano would be hitting higher in the order and Wang would be a great number two or three starter. I did not expect Cano to regress as he has nor did I expect the Yanks to get Clemens, which is a huge mistake if you ask me. The last thing the Yanks need is another guy who can only go 5 1/3 innings while giving up 4+ runs.

It's a tough season and sometimes you actually have to win the games on the field, not on paper. This team didn't fare well in the playoffs last year, how much different are they this year? Not much, that's for sure and I've been very consistent in saying that.

I absolutely understand the frustration of the fans. There are families who spend hundreds of dollars for a day at the ballpark, only to have purchased boredom and disgust. We spend hours watching these boring and depressing games. It's not the same feeling you get when they lose an occasional game during a normal season. With each loss, the boredom and depression deepens. Many people look to baseball for an uplifting experience. Instead, they become further depressed. A blog is a place to vent both good and bad feelings towards the game (not each other). I read these comments as a means of catharsis, knowing there are other fans who empathize with my pain. I always feel better after leaving here and welcome diverse thoughts on the team. At least it shows we care.

Lucy Bomber mentioned that draft pick scene days ago as well , Like i said some interesting posts has been made on this blog

again it is not the fans fault for who comes over. No one in their mind thought Damon was coming we thought we was doomed in CF. when Mussina came over he was still in avg years. Jason Giambi looked like mantle in Oak, but obiviously the Yankees Knew SOMETHING becasue it is in his contract. Me and You can see it coming but the average fan is just that a FAN they want to root for this team. I am in no way arguing against you you make excellant points. however like people on here said you need a more creative GM to work deals out to get rid of these players. DYE is on the market trade Bobby A for him chicago will jump at that one becasue the man can walk next year plus he is a countryman of ozzie

Anonymous, I guess I missed that one. It's hard reading all the posts since I have limited time here. I try to skim through the long ones to get the gist (with my early morning tea). I wish I had more time to read them all more thoroughly, but I don't. Hats off to Bomber for making a great suggestion.

Anon-
Why would Chicago want Bobby Abreu? Honestly, I don't know if the Yanks would want Jermaine Dye either, he's been slumping and really had one good season in his career. These are exactly the types of players the Yanks need to avoid.

Lucy: As a lifelong Yankee fan, I feel your pain just as much as anyone and believe me, this season is killing me but at some point you have to say to yourself that the Yanks have had a great 11 year run and maybe it's time to start over. If you are letting the games depress you, then it's time to go by some DVD box sets of sitcoms to lift your spirits. I recommend: "Martin" and "Seinfeld" :)

Jim A.: We're just thinking out loud about the possibilities that could have changed the outcome of the game since there's been so much loosing lately. A win yesterday could have put us in a position to win the series. Forget about the sweep and focus. See every game as a one game series. It's really hard for me to accept that this li