YFSF

Switcheroo: Sox-Os Gamer II

So there's one game and 8.5 innings left to go in the Red Sox' forlorn season. It seems we should finish strong here at YFSF and post the last two game threads -- we're not fair-weather fans. We were here when the Sox were in first place. We're here now that they're fighting for second.

Another person who's here, at long last? Manny Ramirez -- DH-ing as David Ortiz takes a seat. Are we seeing perhaps the second-to-last game (or maybe even the last?) with Manny in a Red Sox uniform? Will tomorrow be the last time we see perhaps the greatest 3-4 combination in our lifetimes hit in the same lineup? It certainly makes these last two games feel special. An historic era could be drawing to a close.

Comment away!

Take the A B, D, or 4 Train

Mike Mussina picked up win no. 15 last night, a 7-2 drubbing of the—ahem—second place Toronto Blue Jays (okay, it's a tie), and that combined with losses for the Twins and Tigers clinched home field advantage for the Yanks for as long as they can survive through the playoffs. The reduced travel should come as especially good news to Randy Johnson, who had an epidural yesterday to alleviate the pain of a herniated disk. Will he return at all this year? That remains to be seen—if not, Cory Lidle will be his replacement in the rotation; Jaret Wright will move up a slot to #3. Johnson doesn't do much to endear himself to fans or the media, but it's hard not to be impressed by a guy who takes that kind of shot, and then shows up for work ready to throw a day later, nevermind the salary. His effort is appreciated, big time.

Also appreciated, all those Yanks and Mets who ride the subway to work, just like the rest of us. Back in the mid-80s, I remember traveling to a game on the 4 with Tommy John, who would have gone unnoticed had one of my pals not noticed him, standing politely in the back of the train. In the NYT this morning, Michael Schmidt reports on a few players for whom a subway series would be an actual reality, including Sal Fasano, Nick Green, and T.J. Beam. We especially appreciated this gem from Ron Darling, who took the 7 to Shea throughout the 80s, until a sponsorship deal landed him a set of wheels: "It was the biggest nightmare, especially $400 a month for parking." Alternate side is a bitch, too.

Moosercise: Jays - Yanks Gamer I

Tonight is Mussina’s last regular season workout, as New York begins their final series of the regular season.  Joe is starting the Über-Lineup™ tonight; it’s in the extended.  Comment away.

Who Does #2 Work For?

Maybe the Sox should have locked the Yankees out of the loo during that 5 game spate late in August...

The End of a Season

Alas, the season is ending, both figuratively and literally, for our beloved team.  So instead of sitting around and pouting about their misfortune, we thought we'd take a drive upstate to the family haven (sadly for us still in Yankeeland -- our local tavern has pictures of Thurman, Gator, and Joe D behind the bar) and admire the foliage.  At least something in New England is just reaching its peak, even if it's not our ballclub.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Irony of Alanis Morrisette ironies! The cosmic injustice of it all! It's as if the 2006 season was specifically designed to torture Sox fans. The last weekend presents Red Sox Nation with quite the Hamletian dilemma: to root for the Yanks or not to root for the Yanks? That is the question. If the Yanks tank it against the Jays then the Sox finish third. That would be the end of quite a noble tradition. But if the Yanks step up, and the Sox finish strong, then there's no concern. Everything is as it should be...kind of...in New England. What to do?

If you root for the Bombers, welcome to life as a Yanks fan. I'll give you a few pointers on how to properly be a Bombers follower:

• Remember, you're now rooting for the classiest, most important franchise in the world. Therefore, it's time to get a shave and haircut. This is a company you're a part of. Sit up in your seat, make eye contact, pronounce your words clearly, clean yourself up. It's time to grow up. This isn't college anymore. You get the point.
• While Derek Jeter didn't die for your sins, he could have. He very well could have. That said, everything he says is sacred. His inside-out swing is divine. He cares deeply about you.
• You are allowed to boo A-Rod.
• In all likelihood the Yanks are going to win. It's an unusual feeling for you. I know. Relax. Enjoy it. You deserve it. Derek Jeter believes in you.
• When you say "Melky", say "Melky!" Never say "Melky". It's "Melky!" Cabrera. As in "Melky! made solid contact on that fly-out. Better luck next time, Melky! Cabrera."
• Find out about Alvaro Espinoza. Research him. I'm sure there's a Wikipedia entry. At Yanks fans cocktail parties, Alvaro is a good conversation starter.
• Oh yeah, basically, you don't take Mariano Rivera for granted...ever. When he comes in the game, let the person next to you know that you think it's amazing that he's been this good for this long and all this time with just one pitch! While he isn't Derek Jeter's father/and Derek Jeter at the same time, he could have been...He's god. Or at least god-like.

I hope this helps. Or you could just finish in third.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Okay, The Greatest Lineup in History™ was down a few men on the left side of the infield last night, but....um....still. Only 24 hours after abusing the O's like Clinton on Wallace, our Bombers couldn't even muster a hit until the ninth against Daniel Cabrera by fellow Dominican Robi Cano. "He's not my friend anymore," says Cabrera. Boo hoo. For another one of their countrymen (and his teammates), things are even worse: Pedro Martinez will miss the playoffs. We can't stand the Mets, not one bit, but as baseball fans, we're disappointed. Harumph.

Robi Watch: .343: O's - Yanks Gamer III

Jeter and ARod are both out of the lineup tonight.  Perhaps they needed some quality time together.  Cano is batting second, with Cairo and Cannizaro working the bottom of the order and the left side of the infield.  Mauer went 2-4 last night in a losing effort against KC; his average is at .350.

The Jays already knocked off the Tigers earlier today, so it's a chance to get two games up on those Tigers.  This also means that Minnesota can tie it up in the Central with Detroit if they win tonight against KC; that game starts in an hour.

At The Stadium tonight, it's Daniel Cabrera throwing against Darrel Rasner.  Lineups in the extended.  Comment away.

My Life as a Corporate Drone: Topps Edition

Shocker: editing that 3-point type on the back of a baseball card is about as appealing as an evening of knitting and mahjong with Stump Merrill.

That's a Fine One Through Nine

-- The Yankee line-up last night was really something to watch in action.  Everyone seemed to be hitting the snot out of the ball.  Even several of the foul balls were scary long, but I like how Joe Torre kept it in perspective.

"We can score some runs," Torre said, "but again, the pitcher has to cooperate. Good pitching always stops hitting." (Ronald Blum, AP)

-- The New York Post hasn't run a cover picture of ARod since the clinch.  Lately, Pedro has taken 3 of 7 covers.

-- On a play in the third (if I recall correctly) Sheff fielded a hard shot that he didn't glove it cleanly, but knocked it down and kept it in front of him, making the play unassisted.  He really doesn't look out of place at first base at all.

-- The Red Sox set a major-league record last night with their 105th errorless game in a season.  Unfortunately, it was their third runless game of the month and eighth of the season.

-- Following surgery, Matt Clement will not pitch for several months and is facing a long rehab, but he is fully expected to be able to pitch again.

-- Pesky's pole really is Pesky's now, and Eric Wilbur doesn't like it.