-- with Mikey Stew, Doc, & Johnny B --
"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base." -- Dave Barry
(St. Pete, Oktoberfest 10, 2000) St. Louis, Seattle? Looks to be wide open this year. The best records (San Fran and the Chisox) are out, and the Braves decided on an early exit to avoid the possibility of another embarrassing trip to the Bronx. Looking more and more like the last hurrah for the Yankees. Joe Torre has lost confidence in many of the key players that delivered three rings in the last four years. Pitching Pettitte and Clemens on 3-days rest to face Oakland essentially backfired. Bringing in El Duque to relieve backfired. And pinch hitting for #3 hitter Paul O'Neill backfired. The slumping O'Neill is showing some wear in the field as well. They're running at will these days, even some very average baserunners. That being said, he's coming off his 4th straight 100 RBI season. Still a force and the heart of the Yankees.
This is not to say they won't win it all - they are still the favorite, but this team will be dismantled over the winter. Even more than it was mid-season. Knoblauch, O'Neill, Cone, and Gooden will be gone. Possibly Brosius and Martinez too.
Bullpen depth seems to be the biggest factor in the playoffs thus far. The Yankees are very strong there, but so are the Mariners and the Mets. The Mets probably have the best 1-2 starting punch with lefty tandem Leiter and Hampton, but the Cards have a deep starting staff. And despite Torre's apparent lack of confidence, so, too, do the Yankees. And let's face it, the Yanks never fully recovered after Irabu was banished.
Crusty Old Man Comment of the Day: What's the deal all the 'artificial excitement' in today's parks? Yankee Stadium seems to be the most overbearing, with noise and music after almost every pitch. You got the FRIKKEN Yankees playing!!! One of the best teams ever! If that's not enough there is a real problem with the game. And sitting through some of these 4-hour games, I need some 'artificial excitement' myself. Or the Kiss of the Hops... The 'eMpTy V' attitude don't make it in baseball. Just one crusty old man's opinion...
(Nyack, October 11, 2000) Hillary says Yanks in seven. Me too. My response to this article will come later. I can tell though that Johnny has been getting his sports news from Florida newspapers. I'll let you know what the Yanks will do this off season after the post season. Here's a couple of hints. Knobby will stay and so will O'Neill.
(October 15, 2000) The Rocket was great last night. I am hoping we may have witnessed a turning point for Roger and the post season. In games past he has either looked like he was trying too hard or he had a look in his face like he was kind of worried all the time. Last night he did what he is supposed to do and just pitched baby. Looks like these washed up old timers may have a few breaths left after all. They are looking again like the October machine of years past. Solid pitching, great defense and timely hitting. It's gonna be a fun next couple of weeks in NY if the Metsies can hold up their end. And I think they will.
By the way Johnny I was golfing at West Point yesterday and I could have sworn I saw of couple of Red Sox players. They were coming up on 18 so they were just about done with that game too.
OK OK I was wrong. I said the Yanks in 4 but I forgot to take into effect that one of our starters is a former Red Sox. Five was OK anyway.
The Rocket can't win it for them EVERY year! Another problem may be too many ex-Braves - Justice, Stanton, Neagle. And Stanton's a former Red Sox as well. Despite the outcome, I was glad to see the A's at least made them earn it. Some piss-poor outfielding, though. Anyway, Mariners in 6 - I'll spot the Bombers 2 for the ex-Red Sox guy...
WSL: Eighth inning - Yanks up 9-5 - Mo is in. Time for bed. Bring on the Mettys!
JB: You ALMOST called that one too soon (although I was thinking the same thing). I think we'll see the Mets exploit this erratic Yankee closer further. 33 scoreless innings my ass! Have to admit I'm a little worried about Benitez.
MS: Let the trash talk begin.
