Friday, May 8, 2009

Have the Yankees hit rock bottom?

I'm hesitant to say that this season has reached its nadir, as it's possible that rock bottom can be even lower than it is now. But the Yanks aren't exactly looking good at the moment. Let's review:

* The Yankees have lost five games in a row - at home, yet - for the worst losing streak they've had under Joe Girardi.

* Mariano Rivera gave up back-to-back homers in a game for literally the first time ever and two homers in a game for the first time since 1998. He's given up four homers this year (his record for an entire season is five.) And he admitted his arm isn't back to full strength. I'm guessing Wally Matthews is furiously typing his latest "Joba to the pen" screed.

* Andy Pettitte gave up four homers in the game.

* Jorge Posada, already on the DL, could have some company there - Jose Molina, who strained his quad in last night's game. Wonder if Nick Swisher knows how to catch.

* The atmosphere at the $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium is still not like the old one. That sea of empty blue seats are flat-out embarrassing. The good news is that tickets were going for as little as $3 on StubHub for Yankees-Red Sox this week. Even I sold my ticket - although it meant that Red Sox friend of the Squawkers, Bob Ekstrom, gave me much grief for doing so!

* The good thing is that if you want to see homers, this is the place to go. Unfortunately, they're usually from the other team.

* The bullpen is a mess. And even when pitchers like Jose Veras unexpectedly pitch well, somebody else blows the game.

* While Mark Teixeira is still struggling, he did hit a home run with this quote to describe this team: "We just found another way to lose tonight." And that was before last night's debacle.

Have I missed anything?

Alex Rodriguez, come on down! You're the next contestant on, "The Yankees Aren't Right!"

What do you think about the state of the Yankees? Leave us a comment!

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe if you apologize for and renounce your Piazza hate, the Yankees will start winning.

Anonymous said...

This team has more holes than Swiss Cheese. As much as it pains me to say it, the Rays are what the Yankees used to be. Talented, well managed and coached, unafraid, and most importantly confident. They will win the AL East again with the Yankees hopefully coming in 3rd once again.
Who evalutes the yankee talent? Tex will be solid but not twice as good as Carlos Pena, the yankees had Posada's replacement and let him get away and now plays for Tampa. Relief pitching is a disaster and they are not planning for Mo's replacement. Extremely poor decisions are being made from the top down.

Nate said...

For all the bitching about a Red Sox bias in the national media, where's all the speculation that Mo was a juicer? Is his sudden decline / crappy start somehow less notable than David Ortiz's?

The Emperor said...

Even more than the Rays, the Red Sox are what the Yankees used to be.

We can only use the "it's still early" excuse for so long - it's May now, and the losses we amass now will affect us later in the season if, by some miracle, we actually do manage to compete for the Post Season.

I know this is the first time Mo ever gave up back-to-back homers, but strangely enough it didn't knock me out of my shoes. It's a combination of Mo being older now and the new stadium being a band box.

I just think it's pretty sad how such a proud organization with so much rich history became afflicted with so many pathologies. Aside from the pinstriped jerseys, this team hardly resembles anything we consider Yankee-like. Even the teams in the 80's showed grit and hustle and tried their best. This year, our team looks like last year's team -- and now we have Molina out.

Well, A-Rod's coming back tonight. Let's hope that will help ignite our offense.

Anonymous said...

First...Mo has 5 years on Ortiz which is a BIG difference in baseball years.

Second...Mo has had a few tough starts to a season and come back strong after everyone said he was finished..

Third ...Mo isn't being used enough ..he hadn't pitched for about a week before Wednesday night

Fourth ...he is coming off a surgery which most likely is the reason the arm strength isn't at full capacity if that is the case

I was at the game last night and the so-called fans who booed Mo ..well ...I have another word for them but I'll just keep that to myself otherwise I'll sound as classless as they did booing him.

I must admit ..sometimes I'm just totally embarrassed by some of the fans ...just as in general life ...respect is a word that is slowly vanishing from society. The lack
of respect shown to Mo just showed the ignorance on the part of those fans. Without Mo these same fans would have never experienced winning 4 World Series in 5 years. Mo has done it all with great class and dignity ..traits these same fans know nothing of...

I just wonder how many at bats Alex will get before they start booing him ...what does it matter he hasn't played in 2 months due to surgery. I'll go with 2 at bats ..sadly.

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

The Emperor said...

You know, Peggy? I agree with you wholehearteldy about Mo. I watched the game on TV last night and I heard the boos, too, and I was disgusted.

I don't care of Mo gives up homers every night for the rest of his career (which I pray never happens!), that man is never, ever to get booed by anyone!

Mo is not arrogant. He's not selfish. He's not hedonistic. He's a good, decent, honest human being on and off the field and in the clubhouse, and nobody has done for the Yankees in our generation what Mo has done.

I was really apalled that he got booed. I know fans are frustrated -- I'm one of them! Unfortunately right now I just can't see the glass half full, but I NEVER boo anyone on the Yankees and always hope that there's a chance they can turn this around in time.

Anonymous said...

Actually Emp...this team has come back in the games ...they had chances to win most of the past 7 games but the bullpen blew it. Not
getting all the RISP across is hurting but they have been in all the games till the bullpen throws it away. This team has been decimated with injuries to "key" players ...Alex, Wang, Bruney, Nady..now Posada. Lesser level Ransom, Marte ..maybe Molina...

Players like CC, AJ, Tex, Andy have to start stepping up and I would hope they do and soon. Even if you don't like the man you can't deny the player so when Alex comes back that should lengthen the lineup and should be a big shot in the arm for Tex who seems to be pressing because he is with a new team..feeling like he has to do it all because Alex is out. Of course that's only my opinion. One good win streak and everyone will jump back on the Yankee bandwagon.

If it's July ...we are 10 games back ...then I might make my reservations for jumping off the bridge but I think I'll give it a few more weeks to see what will happen...

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

The Emperor said...

"First...Mo has 5 years on Ortiz which is a BIG difference in baseball years."

You mean in experience, right?

Anonymous said...

Emp..You want to talk frustration ...I was at the games on Mon, Wed and Thurs. It was miserable weather for the most part especially Monday. I never leave a game therefore I have had very late nights this week (getting to bed at 2:00 & 3:00 am to get up at 7:00 for work). Each game looked like we would pull it out only to be let down but I have seen much more miserable games in my life ..I lived through the late 60', early 70's and horrible 80's.

I still think this team has the parts they just have to figure out how to put it all together...that is if they can finally all play together... Let's hope so ...

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

Anonymous said...

The farm system has little or no valuable talent (see AA Trenton Cervelli now having to catch our half-billion dollar pitching staff.)Obviously, there is no up-and coming replacement in AAA(the last guy was Dinoer Navarro and he's playing for (that's right folks the Tampa Bay Rays). You have aging position players and a DH who will come through on occasion but not consistently. So where are we? Hopeing that our flawed 3rd baseman can add some needed juice (dare I say that word?) to our line up. Even that's not fair to him; he's only one guy. Swisher is good but even now he's dropped off. Cano started out like hot but I'm getting a little nervous with his recent at bats. The bad weather hasn't helped and the pitching overall has been weak at best. It is reasonable to believe that it has got to improve; there is just too much pitching talent for them all to stay this mediocre for the whole season.

I say stay the course until the all-star break; bring up the kid Jackson from Scranton, then plattoon Matsui with Damon at DH (does anyone really think Matsui should be playing the outfield any more?)

If Nady is able to play again, platoon him with Swisher in right field. That should help improve the bench over having Berroa, and Gardner right now.

There are 134 more games to go; I am always an optimist but if they are not within striking distance(3-5 games) of the top team by the all-star break I don't think they make the playoffs at all. They are just too old at too many key positions and no one fears the Yankees anymore. No more PED's makes this a young man's game now more than ever.

Until the Yankees return to being a team plays with, speed, defense, clutch hitting and consistent pitching we fans will be in for a long,frustrating and ultimately disappointing season.

The Emperor said...

I don't know how you do it, Peg - staying out in such lousy weather, watching the Yanks lose in that lousy weather, get to bet 3:00 in the morning and get up at 7:00 -- three days in a row!

I dont' think I could handle that. I give you a ton of credit. I know how much of a diehard fan you are, but don't get yourself sick. :-)

NAM said...

Peggy and Emp,

You are so right about the booing. I think Rivera has earned the right to never be booed. He is a first class player and closer.

and Emp, thanks for the kind words re the Red Sox, but we have to be able to beat the Rays. They have our number so far this year, just like last year. I think we only won two games in the Trop last year.

Good luck with your weekend series. I've got my fingers crossed for ours.

Anonymous said...

Emp ..I was replying to Nate's comment about Ortiz/Mo's declines in regard to juicing...Mo is five years older so IF he is in decline it most likely is natural due to age NOT steroids.

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!

The Emperor said...

Some trends happening lately:

1) The opposing team usually scores first and usually winds up winning the game

2) When the opposing team gets runners on base, even with two outs, they usually bring that guy home

3) When the Yanks get runners on base, even with less than two outs, they usually can't bring the guy home

4) Once the other team scores first, our starters become more tense because our offense isn't giving them run support, so they pitch too fine and get whacked around the ballpark

The Emperor said...

Thanks for the good-luck wishes, NAM. Same to you guys. The Rays are certainly an amazing, albeit frustrating surprise, to both of our teams!

But there's another team that's not being talked about at all and that's kicking everyone's butts in the AL East: The Toronto Blue Jays. With all the Yankee/Sox talk going on, they are flying below the radar.

All of a sudden they have great pitching and offense and are winning a lot of games. I wonder if this will continue all season.

Subway Squawkers said...

I don't know if it's because of the new stadium, or the losing, or what, but I've noticed that the fans are very angry this year. The idiots booing Mariano tick me off, as do the clowns who called to bring back Joe Torre. Sheesh.

NAM said...

I'm sorta of just pretending the Jays aren't out there. Why do we have to have the most competitive division in baseball?

The consensus seems to be that they can't keep this up all season, but it is often a surprise team that wins it all. Sometimes the Baseball gods are just going to mess with our heads.

NAM said...

Lisa,

I don't like booing in general unless it's towards the umps - that's always appropriate. I don't even like it when they boo Texiera or Damon at Fenway. Once is okay - than move on. And seriously, since the Sox have done fine without either of them, it just looks small to keep booing. I have to say my heart has warmed a little toward Damon. He broke my heart; shattered it into little pieces. I love how he acknowledges roll call.

Lisa, have the Yankee fans always done roll call? I have only seen it this year. I thought it was great.

Anonymous said...

Nam...I'm not sure when roll call started but it's been going on for years...Giambi said it was what he would miss most. At the All Star game ...Youk said he wished they would do it so he could hear his name but he knew they weren't going to call out a Sox player ..especially since it's the Bleacher Creatures (and they didn't). Players in general..both Yankees and others... tend to think it's one of the coolest things in baseball.

As far as the booing at the Stadium ...it's been going on now for quite some time ..don't blame it on the new stadium. This isn't the first time they booed Mo...when he had the two back to back blown saves to the Sox they did it too. They booed Jeter when he was in the 0-31 slump a few years ago. It makes me sick ..booing Tex who is trying so hard. Just booing your own players in general is totally disgusting ..IMO. I have never booed a Yankee or an opposing player (not even Carl Pavano and that really took restaint ..lol). I've been a fan for many years but only the past few years have started this booing every player who is having a hard time.

Like I said in a previous thread ..it's just a total lack of respect in this society for baseball and life in general.

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009

Anonymous said...

Oh ..btw ...I was actually cheering Pavano the other night ...he beat the Sox ...why didn't he do that when he was HERE !!!

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

The Emperor said...

Well, at the current rate the Yanks are going, I expect the Jays to thoroughly kick our butts when we face them soon.

Of course I hope I'm wrong, but since when do the Yanks ever beat Roy Halliday? Opening Day last year doesn't count in my book because it was so early and so cold. We won 3-2 - that was a fluke.

The Emperor said...

Peggy, Lisa and NAM: Youa re all 100% correct. Booing makes me sick, too. Maybe I'm old school like you guys -- which I wouldn't have any other way -- but growing up my Mom always taught me to always root for your team and get behind your guys. It's okay to be angry and frustrated, but NEVER abandon the guys that play for your team no matter what.

And I don't. I could care less how much money they earn. They wear the pinstripes, so they are never ever to be booed in my book.

The Emperor said...

Edit: Never ever to be booed by their own fans.

Anonymous said...

Lisa ...we know the bring back Joe Torre would get to you ...

You really must let go ...he's in LA now ...hahaha

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

The Emperor said...

I think the reason for the booing is because of the influx of bandwagon fans when the Yanks were winning all the time. These newbies are spoiled and don't understand that as people get older and players change, teams change and cannot be a dynasty every single year.

Older fans remember the bad times, and while these new times really suck right now, never abandon ship. In time things will get better. I have to try and hold onto that way of thinking, too, because I'm known to turn pessamistic when things go awry for too long.

NAM said...

Peggy and Emp,

My mother said that when she was a young girl and went to Fenway in the 40's you dressed in suits and were on your best behavior. It just keeps going downhill. Symptomatic of our manners in general. And I was taught that your team is who takes the field, not who you wish would take the field.

I hope you both have a great Mother's Day Weekend. I would love to watch a Sox/Yankees game in the new stadium some time. I will have to do one of those sports get away weekends. I wonder if we will see pink bats for MOther's Day/Breast Cancer this weekend?

The Emperor said...

Thanks, NAM. I will be visiting and bringing flowers to my Mom at the cemetary on Sunday.

But for you and everyone else, I wish you and your mother's a great Mother's Day, too.

The Emperor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Emperor said...

Peggy, we all know how much Lisa loves Joe Torre! She has a picture of him in her wallet! LOL!!

Uncle Mike said...

No, the Yankees have not hit rock bottom yet. That comes tonight, when Joe Girardi makes out his lineup and pencils in, at third base and the fourth position in the batting order, the most embarrassing player in Yankee history. Just let him into the Copacabana with Joe Pepitone's toupee already.

Anonymous: We Yankee Fans will renounce our "Piazza hate" when you admit he cheated.

The same Anonymous? When the Rays win several World Series -- they've never won one -- then you can say that the Rays are what the Yankees used to be.

Nate: Mo is 39. As Peggy pointed out, it's one thing to drop off at 34 or 35. But dropping off at 39 has been known to happen. And we don't yet know if this is IT, or just a slump. We're not talking about Eric Gagne here.

Emp: It looks like you're suggesting that these Yankees don't have what used to be known as a killer instinct: When you get the second out, get the third out next; when you get men on base, you get at least one home. I don't know who can fix that, but it sure ain't A-Roid.

NAM said...

Emp,

You're a good son!

The Emperor said...

"Emp: It looks like you're suggesting that these Yankees don't have what used to be known as a killer instinct: When you get the second out, get the third out next; when you get men on base, you get at least one home. I don't know who can fix that, but it sure ain't A-Roid."

You would be correct, Mike. The only thing I would differ with you slightly on (tongue-in-cheek) is the potential for A-Rod to help us out. I will keep my fingers crossed on that. :-)

Anonymous said...

Uncle Mike ...using "childish" names like A-roid is right up there with the booing IMO...it's bad enough the kiddies resort to that stuff. I would hope part of the more "mature" crowd would be able to refrain from such tactics.

As far as Alex...let's see ..
Alex or Ransom, Alex or Pena ...decisions, decisions ...yeah right...there is NO decision ...love him or hate him ..we NEED HIM !!!

Nam ..thank you for the Mother's Day wishes. I was going to go to Baltimore with my daughter but that didn't work out too well when we went for Opening Day. I had a crazy week with all these games and I told her we will just stay home ..watch the game and order some Chinese. I just hope the Yankees cooperate and give me a win .. :o).

Peggy

Go Yankees 2009 !!!

NAM said...

Peggy,

I know, what was with Baltimore that opening series? I have never been to there but I hear it is a great stadium.

My Mom are staying in and watching baseball the big screen t.v. I love to go to a game and we live in Sarasota, FL so it's just hour to see the Red Sox in Tampa when they are in town, but the Trop is not my favorite place and it's a lot for Mom (not that she will admit it!). Enjoy!

Noreen

The Emperor said...

NAM, your name is Noreen?

Wow, all this time I thought you were a man and a Viet Nam vet!

NAM said...

Emp,

That is too funny! Nope, I'm a girl! Although, I work in the legal field and you use your initials on documents all the time and I will occasional get a person calling me Viet.

You get to know everyone on the blog after a while I figure you should know my name.

The Emperor said...

Well, okay, since we're sharing names, my real one is Rob (not ot be confused with another Rob I see posting here occasionally).

The Emperor said...

Can I call you Viet?

NAM said...

Emp,

Good to know! I was just talking to one of my baseball friends (a White Sox fan) and we were talking about Manny and steriods thing. He said, you know all those people who get so fixated on the steroids use and what it means to baseball, live and die by stats. He said, me I just like to enjoy each game, each series, etc.. I think I am going to take up his philosophy and not worry about who will get elected to the Hall of Fame in ten years. All the ESPN's, NESN's, YES's, et al. of the world (not to mention the dotcoms and the print media) need hours and hours of "stuff" to fill their screens and papers. Me, I am going to watch baseball like I did when I was a kid and just enjoy every crack of the bat.
Have a great weekend,
Noreen

NAM said...

Yes, you can! But I'm not asian, like Lisa Chang (Seinfeld LOL)

The Emperor said...

Thanks, NAM...uh..Viet!! :-)

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