YFSF

Rudderless

Time and time I will say it: the manager's job is to put the team in the best position to win, and then hope his players execute. He doesn't play, so we can't blame Francona for bad pitches, for bad swings.  But we can call him out when he has personnel at his expense that he does not use, and instead puts in guys who are overmatched or who don't give the team any kind of advantage.  Two examples of terrible management today, where Francona didn't take the opportunity to give his team the best chance at winning a game (and no, the game isn't over yet):

1. Gonzalez hitting with two men on and the team down a run late in the game.

2. Seanez coming in.

How can a guy at the major league level make such horrid decisions?  What's his f*cking excuse this time?

Bring it on Home: Sox-Rays Gamer III

It's the last game before tomorrow's Boston-New York madness.  Even with last night's 9th inning comeback, we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves; Johnny Damon and the boys are not the first thing on our minds -- the troublesome Scott Kazmir is. We trust the team is thinking the same way, and focusing on today's matchup.  So how about coming back to Fenway with a little 2 game winning streak, guys?  Keep up last night's clutch hitting (5-10 with RISP), and things should be ok. Talk about all things Sox/Rays here. 

(And how about Kevin Youkilis?  Does this guy have "future batting title" written all over him or what?)

The Moose Is Loose: Yanks-Jays Gamer III

Mike Mussina, looking as good as he's ever looked in pinstripes, takes the hill for the Yanks in an afternoon start today against the Jays, who throw Gustavo Chacin. Last time the boys saw him, in Toronto, they put up a quick 4-spot, before the bats went to sleep and the Unit started hemorraghing runs, the result being a loss. We're hoping for a more sustained attack today, along with a solid pitching performance, the combined result of which being a you-know-what. Anyway, we may not be around to watch—though we do plan to be listening—but in the event that you are, this thread is your opportunity for comment on all the action.

Skid Row: Sox-Rays Gamer II

The last 8 days of Red Sox baseball has been, in my estimation, one of the more frustrating and demoralizing set of games I have seen in several years.  It's not that the Sox lost ballgames, it's that they either threw them away (last Friday, in particular) or were never in them to begin with. I am sure there have been equally bad (if not worse) stretches in the past few seasons (remember, before the all-star break in 2004 the Sox were on a road to nowhere), but my memory is too short.  I have a sense, or at least a solid hope, that much will change when Coco Crisp returns to the lineup (I know, that's what everyone is hoping).  For now, what I really want is for the Sox to play solid ball, to stay in games, to grind it out with this weak offense, to win enough to keep things tight in the AL East until the middle of May, to hold on so we can see if that team that electrified us the first week of the season was for real. 

Rock bottom isn't a pretty place, but there's nowhere to go but up.  Starting now.  Use this as the Saturday night Sox/Rays game thread.

Not Manny Being Manny

Perhaps the worst YouTube comic sketch of all time. (Even Joe Franklin would be appalled.)

PS: Hey Ax! Manny's a righty!

Draft Day Special: Yanks-Jays Gamer II

What's gonna happen in the NFL draft? We don't really care, though we do like the name "D'Brickashaw." (Hint, Jets.) As you might imagine, our attention will be directed a few miles to the north of Radio City this afternoon, to the big ballpark in the Bronx. Apropos of which: Last week, in Toronto, the Jays torched the Unit, sending him packing after 3 innings while shooting his then-sterling ERA up into Jaret Wright territory. Was he tipping his pitches? Probably not (they were just, um, sucky). Anyway, Stinnett was catching then, thank god, or the whole sorry episode would have been laid at Posada's feet. He'll be behind the plate today, which is good news for the Yankees, if Randy can just wrap his head around it and keep his slider out of the middle of the plate. Josh Towers pitches for the Jays, and he's no Halladay. After the big loss last night (thank you Jaret!), the Yanks are due for a big win today. Let's hope they get it. This is your thread for comments.

Steve Howe: Dead at 48

Those who recall Steve Howe, who seemed to live at an unsafe speed both on and off the field, will be saddened but not surprised to learn that the former Rookie of the Year died prematurely this morning in an automobile accident in California. He had been suspended 7 times in his career, primarily for drug use, between moments of occassional brilliance on the field. He was fun to watch—though one never quite felt comfortable with his presence—and for that we'll always be grateful. Readers are encouraged to add their favorite Howe anecdotes in the comments to this post.

Dining Out: Sox-Rays Gamer I

On the menu tonight? Detente.  YF, Mrs. YF, Mrs. SF, and I are off for an evening of relaxation, conversation, and fine grub.  In our absence and in the spirit of the evening, we expect cordial conversation, polite repartee, and the Red Sox to allow fewer than 15 runs.  But we're not holding our breath about the last part.  Consider this your game thread for all things Sox-Rays.

Friday Bonus: Yanks-Jays Gamer I + Jeter Meter

We're going to be out for much of the day and evening, so we thought we'd get you started early on tonight's game thread. We'll say this, it seems like a good night to be out on the town; Toronto will be throwing ace Doc Halladay, one of (if not the) best pitchers in the league at the Yanks, who always, understandably, have trouble against him. To compound the offensive problems, as if that were necessary, Kelly Stinnett will be starting behind home plate. Worse still, he will be catching Jaret Wright. So things don't auger well, but the funny thing about baseball is that sometimes things just work out exactly how they're not supposed to. We hope that's what happens tonight. Consider this your place for comment on all the action.

But before I'm off, let me recommend Alan Schwarz's terrific piece on Greg Maddux in today's NYT. And let me put up this abbreviated Jeter Meter:

AVG: .408
OBP: .516
SLG: .684
RBI: 19
R: 18

Not long before we start hearing those MVP chants.

Rubber: Yanks-Rays Gamer III

Posting this game thread makes me feel dirty. Hopefully the Rays make Chacon feel the same way. Have at it.