The Yankees were down by a couple of runs when I shut off the TV and went to bed. I wasn’t worried. Sweaty Freddy looked strong and we were facing the weak-hitting Mariners, and although King Felix was on the mound, Ichiro had just smacked a double. I was hopeful.
And then I woke up to….The News.
Absolutely horrifying that A-Rod has joined the list of casualties this season. Just when we shore up the outfield following the Gardner/Swisher injuries, Felix goes and breaks Alex’s hand/metacarpal/pinky. After I read about it, I nearly threw my laptop out the window.
And yeah, we lost the game. (Thank you, Rapada, Qualls and Logan.)
So now what? Sure, Chavez is a great third baseman but he’s not an everyday player, was never meant to be. Ramiro Pena is a known quantity but not a major league caliber hitter. And then there’s this guy.
Yup, they could call up Eduardo Scissorhands and give him the part-time job. I don’t even want to think about that.
And then, since Cashman is on a roll with his trades for aging superstars, maybe he’ll pull off a stealth move for this nearly retired future HOF-er.
Photo: US Presswire
Yes, I know Chipper is going out in a blaze of glory with the Braves. Any other ideas? The player has to be over 35, be a star past his prime, be referred to by his first name (like Madonna or Cher), and generate lots of media attention to deflect from the misery of losing A-Rod in a season of losing Mo, Pettitte, Joba, Gardner, Pineda, and probably others I can’t remember because I’m in shock.
And I’m pissed off. Everybody says Felix didn’t hit three of our guys on purpose and it’s part of the game. After all, CC broke Carlos Pena’s wrist/hand a few years ago. It happens and nobody’s to blame. But still. I now officially don’t like Felix Hernandez.
Tags: A-Rod, Chipper Jones, Felix Hernandez, Mariners, Yankees
From my Facebook page:
“Okay, come World Series time I don’t want to hear any crap about how the Yankees buy their way in every year, it’s boring that they’re there again, etc. This team has struggled to overcome incredible challenges this year, like having four MAJOR players (Rivera, Gardner, Pettite and now A-Rod) with long-term disabiling injuries and a couple of other key players (Robertson, Sabbathia, Swisher) out for shorter times. They have endured extended slumps and issues with scoring with RISP and still they are on top. This is a testament to the grit and character of this team and it would be nice if baseball fans would acknowledge it, however grudgingly. Oh, and Seattle fans have now earned the distinction of being the most classless in the AL. Even Tampa and BoSox fans shine with class compared with these yahoos. Rant off.”
I got up at 2 a.m. to bid on something on ebay that will make a great Christmas present for my son (I did win it – something went right). I checked the Yankees homepage while waiting for the auction to end and my reaction pretty much matched your very apropos above-image, Jane. This is devastating – Alex was just starting to show signs of his former self. And whether or not this was intentional (I rule nothing out, especially when A-Rod still gets booed there twelve years after leaving) the Seattle fans showed absolutely no decency. I watched the replay and when Alex as taken out her received no sympathy ovation, nothing. If anything there were a few boos. I saw a couple of people clapping but they were drowned out by the indfference/hostitlity of the rest of the crowd. What a mean, sad bunch of people. The man was writhing on the ground in agony and they couldn’t seem to muster up a little humanity.
My first reaction to your comment, Audrey was: You were bidding on something on eBay at 2 a.m.? Now that’s being a devoted mother. Either that, or you have insomnia. Anyhow, fans come in all stripes. Some boo. Some don’t. I can honestly say I would never boo an injured player, even one I disliked intensely, but I’ve seen it all from fans so nothing surprises me.
I had my daughter, who is a night owl, wake me for the end of the auction, Jane. It was tough because I was in deep sleep but at least I won and made it worthwhile. I have no idea why the auction times ran when they did since the item is shipping from Massachusetts. But at least my son will have a never-opened Star Wars Collector’s Edition Monopoly game under the tree come Christmas morning!
Went to a free concert in my town last night (Smash Mouth – they were awesome!) so at 10 pm I was riding home and listened to the start of the game on the radio. They were all about how Prince Felix adores Sweaty Freddy and how they used to call him Freddy Jr. when he started and he loved it. I cringed when I saw A-Rod get hit. That was painful. Hope its just a 15-day stay on the DL. I’m not an A-Rod hater and I know that his bat seems to have awakened, but if you showed me the A-Team roster and said which player could we lose right now, I would say A-Rod. All the rest have such an impact on the games, either offensively or defensively or both, so I’m looking on the bright side. Hope we can pull out one more win before we go home to play The Sox. GO YANKEES!!!
AAAAAAAUUUUGGGGHHH!!!!
I can deal with losing the game. But losing A-Rod for 2 months….
Well, at least we still have a decent cushion in the division race. Hopefully our guys pull together as a team and hang on until A-Rod returns. Then we can springboard off his return into the playoffs.
The Olympics start today, even though the opening ceremonies aren’t until friday. I’ll watch some Olympic soccer to settle my nerves. And hopefully we won’t suffer any more ^%%$$#$#$ injuries for a while!
Diane, it’s not a 15-day DL for Alex. He fractured the hand. He’s out a month at least and probably 6 weeks, and then rehab. And yes, his bat had awakened, not for power in the same way but he was hitting the ball. I don’t like losing any player, let alone one who bats in the heart of the lineup. But I’m glad you’re looking on the bright side. That makes one of us. LOL.
I wish I were into the Olympics, Sean. Just no time to watch these days.
I have to admit that when I heard the injury happen on the radio I thought that we wouldn’t miss arod’s bat too much at this point. but he was driving the ball well. Maybe cashman can pull a rabbit out of his hat before the trade deadline.
Great post audrey and stellar work to get that perfect Xmas present.
John sterling was pretty funny last night. When granderson was advancing in the early innings, he held up at second. John said ” it was a good thing he didn’t go, or he would have been a dead little duckling.” I laughed out loud and almost woke my husband up.
A-Rod is no longer the truly great hitter he once was but he was still producing even if most of his power was gone and he isn’t easily replaceable. So his injury really hurts. Chavez has been good for the most part but he can easily break down. Nix isn’t anything special and if Scissorhands is still an error machine, then he doesn’t need to be brought up. But whats done is done. As Jeter said it best last night, nobody is going to feel sorry for them and this provides an opportunity for others to step up. And I’m slightly late but I was really giddy about the Ichiro trade. Hes still got some value left as a defender and hitter and I can’t wait to see him don the pinstripes on Friday. Hope I get to see some of you guys there at the Stadium on Friday to say hello.
…and can anyone tell me why the umpire didn’t warn and then eject Felix? He hit three of our batters, A-Rod being the last one. The other two were Jeter and Ichiro — seems kind of shady if you ask me.
“If it wasn’t for bad luck…I wouldn’t have no luck…
If it wasn’t for REAL bad luck…
I wouldn’t have no luck at all…” — Cream, 1968
The look on A-Rod’s face last night afterwards said it. This is baaad news. Chavez said later that when he had a similar injury, he thought he’d be OK in 4-6 weeks. It took eight. So I’d expect nothing less…
Jane, I’m with you…I ain’t no Felix the Cat fan. After the 1st HBP, did ANY Mariner get any chin music? After the 2nd (or 3rd?)? This team is going to have to EARN every remaining W, with half a pitching staff, bullpen by committee, and a geriatric outfield. The Phillies made it to the WS in ’83 with “The Wheeze Kids” of Rose, Morgan, Perez, Schmidt et al, but at least they were HEALTHY. Not in the mood for the Sawx and all that attendant jive either; just none too happy right now. C’mon, Eech…pick us up…
a rod was just starting to hit.
i woke up to the nightmare too.
this game is bad too. we can’t hit with runners in scoring position again. it’s making me crazy.
i brought the game to work but there was nothing good to see yet.
grrrrr.
at least you made me laugh, jane, as usual, with the requirements for our replacement being old with just one name!