Our friend of the blog, YankeeCase (over on the right), was at a signing tonight with his cousin (over on the left) and met Mo of all people (the guy in the middle). Needless to say, I’m drooling with envy.
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So Many Tears I Needed My Rain Poncho
I’ve dried the tears for now, but tonight was one hell of a sobfest. It was bad enough that Mo took the Stadium mound for the last time, but when he broke down on Andy’s shoulder I thought I’d die. It was such an emotional moment. I can only imagine that for Mo himself it was a giant release after the long farewell tour. It must have finally hit him that this was it. The End. I loved that Andy and Derek came to take him out – nicely staged – but wow. What a night. Who cared about the game. I certainly didn’t. It was the Mo Show and what a show it was.
I keep wondering how it’ll feel when spring training comes around and he’s not there and won’t be. No arriving late “on Mo time.” No appearances. No special smiles. Ugh.
I’m glad Andy got his curtain call and his post-game press conference. He deserved the love too. But Mo’s been my favorite Yankee for a very long time, and I’m beyond sad to see him go.
As my mother always says, “Nothing lasts forever.” We were very lucky to have Mo for all those years, so I’ll try to focus on that.
Goodbye, Mo
There’s only so much crying a person can take. I was wailing my brains out during Mo’s farewell and then Pettitte’s walk off the mound: a doubleheader of pain. The game didn’t do much to lift my spirits either, but it was the Yankees’ season in a nutshell. They either got good pitching and no offense this year or lots of offense and bad pitching.
Poor Zoilo Almonte. He made a rookie mistake hesitating at third base in a crucial situation. And Murphy’s strikeout to end the game was rough. But that’s what happens when your bench is full of kids. Sigh.
The right script would have been for Andy to get the win and Mo to notch the save. It wasn’t meant to be.
Mostly what I thought as I watched today was that I don’t want the old guys to leave us. I don’t like the new guys. I want the old guys to stay forever. I wonder what was going through Jeter’s mind as he hugged his departing teammates.
I’ll stop now before I get too maudlin. Yes, there are a few games left, but not in the Bronx. Sob.
Not Dead Yet
The Yankees looked dead for most of tonight’s Game 2 against the Blue Jays, much the same way they looked dead the night before. But – lo and behold – the combo of Hughes and Huff (the “H” boys) held the Jays to only three runs, so the deficit wasn’t insurmountable….barely. The Yanks fought back with four runs of their own, and Mo, despite a shaky ninth that nearly ruined my dinner, got the save after Robertson was given a quick hook in the eighth.
All I want at this point is for them to put up a good fight, and they did.
What’s sad is that yet another team is about to host their farewell ceremony for Mo, with various reporters speculating about what Toronto will give him for a going away gift tomorrow. The whole thing is a little weird and as much as he seems to be enjoying it, it has to be exhausting. In any case, he’s saying goodbye and I’m trying not to notice.
This Picture Says It All
The Yankees stunk – all of them. I know some are the walking wounded, but even the un-wounded ones stunk.
I mean Ichiro? He looked like a Little Leaguer in the outfield. No, wait. A Little Leaguer could have gotten to some of those balls in right.
But I don’t want to single him out, because there’s enough blame to go around.
Poor Yankees. What a humiliating way to spend a weekend. I even felt sorry for ESPN for having to broadcast that game.
I did like the Red Sox’s tribute to Mo though and he seemed to enjoy it too. So there was that. But basically, it’s looking like this team will limp to the finish line and try to regroup next season. Somehow.
Yanks Win, But Three More Men Down
It was a stirring come-from-behind win in Game 2 of this crucial series against the Orioles, and I wish I could write about that instead of the fact that:
- Austin Romine got hit in the helmet, looked dazed and confused and was said by Girardi to “probably have a concussion.”
- Ivan Nova, arguably our best pitcher, was pulled early after complaining of tightening triceps, something that’s bothered him for awhile.
- A-Rod, the game’s hitting star, left the game with tightening in his left hamstring.
Great, right? Such a shame because we actually crept closer to the Rays for the second Wild Card spot tonight.
Mo was brilliant getting the save after pitching in both the eighth and ninth – again. With so many other relievers hurt or unavailable or ineffective, it’s ironic that he’s the last one standing. Sounds like we’ll have Robertson back tomorrow though.
Still, thanks to clutch hitting and good (except for one inning) starting pitching in this one, the fat lady hasn’t sung and it isn’t quite over for the boys. If only they were all healthy. Sigh.
My Stomach Hurts
I’m serious. It’s still in knots an hour after that game. Talk about highs and lows. Sheesh. That one was a killer, although it was extremely entertaining, as most Yankees-Red Sox games are.
The first surprise (and not in a good way) was Nova. Once again, the old adage of what seems like a nice match-up on paper doesn’t always turn out that way. He’s been our best pitcher lately, but not tonight. Gone without getting to the sixth.
Another surprise: Joe’s use of Mo. Again. Why not use Robertson for two innings since he clearly had his stuff tonight (unlike last night when I trashed him)? Mo’s been in each of the last few games and I was sure he’d be unavailable. Even so, he was so close to a save, but a combo of a not-so-great pitch and Romine’s error (not a good night for him at all) and Jeter’s non-catch of Romine’s throw did him in.
And then there was Joba. Really, Joe? Why do you keep going to him in big situations? Yes, he got robbed by Joe West on that checked swing call, but he can’t be trusted. His ball doesn’t move. He doesn’t fool hitters.
Bravo to the offense. They came allllllll the way back in a gutsy, exciting way, only to peter out at the end. Such a shame.
Now if only my stomach would stop hurting. Ouwwww.
Don't Kill Me But I'm About To Rant About Him
I know, I know. Dave Robertson has been great. He’s a great guy and a great humanitarian and a great husband. I get it. But do I want him to be the Yankees’ closer? No. Does he drive me nuts when he comes in for the eighth inning and turns games like tonight’s into a needlessly scary event? Yes.
Again. I know he’s normally reliable – in his way. And by that I mean he does have strike-out capability, but he also puts men on base and throws too many pitches to pitch on consecutive days.
Personally, I would have left CC in tonight. I feared a repeat of Sunday when Joe pulled Pettitte for the bullpen and we lost that one. Thank God for Mo. I wanted him fresh for the long Red Sox series, but we got the win.
I loved the way the offense took advantage of the White Sox’s rookie starter. I was worried that it would be one of those situations where the Yanks are flummoxed by a pitcher they’ve never seen, but it was just the opposite. Cano, especially, was fun to watch. When he’s hot, he’s hot.
So….a sweep. And now the Sox of the other color come to town. I’m ner-voussssssssss.
Don’t Kill Me But I’m About To Rant About Him
I know, I know. Dave Robertson has been great. He’s a great guy and a great humanitarian and a great husband. I get it. But do I want him to be the Yankees’ closer? No. Does he drive me nuts when he comes in for the eighth inning and turns games like tonight’s into a needlessly scary event? Yes.
Again. I know he’s normally reliable – in his way. And by that I mean he does have strike-out capability, but he also puts men on base and throws too many pitches to pitch on consecutive days.
Personally, I would have left CC in tonight. I feared a repeat of Sunday when Joe pulled Pettitte for the bullpen and we lost that one. Thank God for Mo. I wanted him fresh for the long Red Sox series, but we got the win.
I loved the way the offense took advantage of the White Sox’s rookie starter. I was worried that it would be one of those situations where the Yanks are flummoxed by a pitcher they’ve never seen, but it was just the opposite. Cano, especially, was fun to watch. When he’s hot, he’s hot.
So….a sweep. And now the Sox of the other color come to town. I’m ner-voussssssssss.
Welcome Back, Jose Veras
After Mo coughed up the two homers in the ninth for his third-in-a-row blown save (!!!!!!!), I perked up when I saw it was our old buddy Veras coming in for the bottom of the inning after being traded to the Tigers from the Astros. He may be my new favorite person, having served up Gardner’s walk off homer and rescuing the Yankees from another disappointing loss. Gardner’s been quite clutch this season. Good for him.
But was this game ever a see-saw battle. A-Rod actually hit a homer (!!!!!!) as did Soriano, and I thought, OK, boys, you have a nice lead so hold onto it for a change.
Wrong. No lead is safe when the pitching turns sour. Not only was Pettitte unable to go deep into the game but Robertson was ineffective. And then there was Mo. John and Suzyn kept reassuring listeners that he always goes through his little patch of badness and it’s true. But it’s not fun when it happens. In fact, it feels as if the world is coming to an end. Maybe he should skip a few farewell ceremonies and meet-and-greets for awhile and rest up. Or maybe it doesn’t matter in the larger scheme of things given this team’s way-back position in the standings.
Still, it was nice to beat the Tigers since they’re bona fide contenders for a ring once again.
A Happy Ending, At Least
No, there was no pie tonight, but Gardner did put the Yankees out of their 10th inning misery with his walk off single against the Tigers. He also bailed out Mo, who blew his second save in a row. I missed most of the game, but I didn’t miss Mo’s meltdown and I wish I did. Is he giving us a taste of what life will be like without him or simply showing his human fallibility?
I was surprised when I tuned in that we had three actual runs and were ahead in the game. Aren’t the Tigers supposed to be invincible? Guess not. Nova turned in yet another deserved-to-win performance, even though he navigated out of trouble almost every inning. That’s good news. But the offense was mostly its usual anemic self. A-Rod and Soriano were probably a combined 0-for-100, or so it must have seemed.
What to make of the cheers for A-Rod? My assumption is that fans were reacting to all the media reports that there would be booing and felt a backlash, even wanted to be protective or supportive of Alex, as if he’s been a victim of the big bad baseball commissioner. Whatever. If he continues to strike out in important situations, those cheers will turn to boos soon enough – PEDs or no PEDs.
Pure Misery
I decided to use a pic of Kathy Bates in the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s “Misery” to describe how I’m feeling right now. Not only did I have skin cancer surgery on my legs (ouwww) but I didn’t win the $400+million jackpot in tonight’s Powerball drawing. And then there was the horrendous Yankees loss. I don’t even know how to measure how horrendous the game was except to say that in spite of the sudden home run bursts from Soriano and Nunez and the decent-for-half-the-game pitching by CC and the ninth inning homer by Cano to put the Yanks ahead, they still found a way to lose and get swept by the White Sox. Oh, the agony.
And then, of course, there was the fact that Mo blew the save and that Adam Warren stuck out his glove when he should have kept his hands to himself and that nobody on this team seems to be capable of driving in runs with a sacrifice bunt or anything similarly creative.
Yup, I’m disgusted. They had the famous closed door meeting and guys talked about needing to win and not getting down on themselves. I’d hate to be in that clubhouse tonight. Tough to shrug this one off, I’m sure.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
When Cano got hit by that Harvey fastball in the first inning of the All-Star game last night, I screamed so loud I’m surprised my neighbors didn’t call the police. I said, “There goes the Yankees’ season. The one player who cannot get hurt just got hurt.” And when he left the game in obvious pain, I was furious. My fury didn’t abate when I read Harvey’s quote: “I thought he’d get out of the way.” Or maybe he said: “I hoped he’d get out of the way.” Can’t remember. Obviously, he didn’t mean to hit him and maybe nerves played a part in what happened since he was shaky early, but still. I was very relieved that it wasn’t Cano’s kneecap that had been hit and possibly fractured. A contusion of the quad is a better result, but I doubt he’ll play Friday.
That was the “agony” segment of this post. The “ecstasy” came with Mo. Of course. I don’t care about the A-S games. Never have. But I watched because of Mo and I wasn’t disappointed.
Was that an ovation or was that an ovation? Talk about getting chills. It was so joyous when all the fans, not to mention all the players and coaches, let Mo have the moment – several moments – all alone on that field to savor his last appearance. I was moved, no question, and the whole thing was worth waiting for. I was glad Leyland used Mo in the eighth inning too – smart. The fact that he was named the game’s MVP was icing on the cake.
As for the AL League winning? It was nice, but as I said I was watching for the two Yankees in the game and one of them was triumphant.
Poor Kuroda
When a guy pitches as well as he pitched today, against a hot-hitting team, no less, he should win the game. Unfortunately, Mo – sad to say – had nothing. You could tell from that long, almost-homer-foul ball by Markakis. And then came the at bat to Jones; the pitch was down the middle. No cut, no nothing, pure batting practice. The only question was whether the Yankees would be able to score in the bottom of the ninth and they couldn’t. Game lost for the Yanks and Kuroda, who was coming off his hip thing and deserved better. Bummer.
That Was Just Insane But I'll Take It
The bottom of the ninth was all about bloops – broken bat singles, bloop singles, dunkers, rollers and that ball that Vernon “Molasses” Wells couldn’t get to. (I know, he was trying to keep the ball in front of him, but still.) I blame Suzyn Waldman for almost jinxing the game into the loss column. I’d been watching on TV but switched to WCBS for the ninth as I was getting ready to leave the house.
“Oh, John,” said Suzyn. “That long plane ride home is gonna be so much better after this one.”
She was referring, of course, to the fact that the Yankees owned a 6-0 lead with CC going for a complete game shutout. And then all hell broke loose. CC lost it. Girardi brought in Robertson, who was too high-wire even for Joe, who then brought in Mo to close the door on the Angels once and for all. But then came the various bloops. Suddenly, the score was 6-5 and I wasn’t going anywhere. I turned the TV back on and gulped as I watched Pujols step up to the plate. Could the Yanks really lose this? Could Mo really blow it? Would the losing streak continue?
No, no and no.
I guess the important thing is they won the game, but I didn’t feel great about it.
I hope the off day tomorrow gives all the players a chance to decompress. I know I will. Then comes the series with the Dodgers, which I’m looking forward to. My friends here are Dodgers fans so I’ve gotten familiar with a lot of their guys and it’s always nice to see Donnie Baseball even if it’s in another uniform.
That Was Just Insane But I’ll Take It
The bottom of the ninth was all about bloops – broken bat singles, bloop singles, dunkers, rollers and that ball that Vernon “Molasses” Wells couldn’t get to. (I know, he was trying to keep the ball in front of him, but still.) I blame Suzyn Waldman for almost jinxing the game into the loss column. I’d been watching on TV but switched to WCBS for the ninth as I was getting ready to leave the house.
“Oh, John,” said Suzyn. “That long plane ride home is gonna be so much better after this one.”
She was referring, of course, to the fact that the Yankees owned a 6-0 lead with CC going for a complete game shutout. And then all hell broke loose. CC lost it. Girardi brought in Robertson, who was too high-wire even for Joe, who then brought in Mo to close the door on the Angels once and for all. But then came the various bloops. Suddenly, the score was 6-5 and I wasn’t going anywhere. I turned the TV back on and gulped as I watched Pujols step up to the plate. Could the Yanks really lose this? Could Mo really blow it? Would the losing streak continue?
No, no and no.
I guess the important thing is they won the game, but I didn’t feel great about it.
I hope the off day tomorrow gives all the players a chance to decompress. I know I will. Then comes the series with the Dodgers, which I’m looking forward to. My friends here are Dodgers fans so I’ve gotten familiar with a lot of their guys and it’s always nice to see Donnie Baseball even if it’s in another uniform.
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