Footsteps In The Dark, We're Getting Closer
After returning home from New York in a great mood this weekend, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on the now surging New York Yankees.
To "the unnamed scout" who said Bobby Abreu looks like "he got old fast", what do you think now? Bobby has been red hot (19-38) at the plate and is back being very patient at the dish. I'm shocked that a scout would make such a comment just two months into a season. Doesn't the guy know that some very good players go into prolonged slumps during a season? Maybe this "unnamed scout" will just chalk it up to Geritol. Again, I will ask why are so many out there trying to write off teams and players early on in the season? There are going to be lots of red-faced "experts" come October.
For the second straight season, the Yankees are getting some much needed energetic infusion from Melky Cabrera. Despite misjudging a fly ball on Friday night (Melky ran in, and the ball sailed over his head) Cabrera is playing a great centerfield for the "Bombers". The kid is chasing down everything in both gaps , and he has a strong, accurate arm. If Johnny Damon ever gets healthy, the Yankees still should use Cabrera as the full-time centerfielder. He is just so much better than Damon, and teams won't run on him.
Attention Yankee fans who wanted Joe Torre fired a few weeks ago. In Sunday's New York Post, there was a question and answer piece (Steve Serby did the interview) done with Yankee catcher, Jorge Posada. Here are some very important points in that interview that "Torre bashers" should absorb.
Posada called Joe Torre, "the best manager in baseball." When asked what makes Torre the best, Posada gave the following answer. "He's always even-keeled; he brings the best out of each player and he goes out there and really is the same every day. You don't see a difference in the way he manages just because we're losing or winning."
Serby then asked Posada the following question. If this team fails again to win a World Series and Torre is fired, would it impact your postseason decision (to stay with the Yankees)? Here is how Posada answered the question. "Yes, sir. As soon as the season is over, I would look at every situation, and I would see how the team is going and hold my decisions."
Remember this, Yankee fans. Right now, Jorge Posada cannot be replaced, and the Yankees can't afford to lose him.
I tip my cap to Roger Clemens on his performance on Saturday. Roger didn't have his best fastball (90-91mph) but he found a way to win. He had a very good splitter, and though rusty at times, he gave the Yankees six quality innings. I'm fine with the Yankees sending out Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, and Clemens every 4 out of 5 games. With this lineup, the top four should really start to pile up victories.
I feel Derek Jeter, who has fouled numerous pitches off his shin and ankle, is still playing hurt. Jeter looks a step slow out there, and you can see he's fighting it off. Monday's off day should help the Yankee captain.
Cabrera's miscue on Friday night cost Andy Pettitte another win, but the good news was Andy was great again. I would start Pettitte in Game 1 of any playoff series and feel comfortable with him on the mound. He truly has become a pitcher who mixes it up very well.
Kudos to Miguel Cairo who has actually done a nice job at first base.
I'm still not happy or secure with the Yankee bullpen. Brian Cashman must find a way to obtain a reliable arm to go along with Mariano Rivera's golden arm.
I don't think I've ever seen a right-handed hitter hit the ball so far the opposite way than Alex Rodriguez. Alex seems to take an easy swing, and the ball just sails off his bat the opposite way. If he continues to go with the pitch, he may hit 60-plus homers this year. By the way, has anyone notice how well A-Rod is playing at third?
The Yankees have shaved 5-games off Boston's season high 14 1/2 game lead in a short time. Though the majority of New Englanders don't want to read about it on this site, all I can say is, "Can you say 1978?" Folks, it's going to happen, you can just feel it. I'm telling you, there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing a Boston 14 1/2 game lead dwindle during the summer. Forget 1998. Coming from behind like this is so much more enjoyable. New England is going to be very damp during the next few months from the sweat of "Red Sox Nation" hearing the Yankees footsteps!
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