I should be ashamed of myself. I was ready to write off today’s game after the first few innings. CC wasn’t ace-like and our defense was Three Stooges-like and, given our offensive woes, I just didn’t see this one resulting in a win.
I WAS WRONG. I’M SORRY. I REPENT.
So yesterday’s performance by Jeter really did signal better things to come. What a kick to see him knock two out of the park, raise his average and shut the doubters up.
Quite a gutty outing by CC to have no command and yet hang in there. (I do wonder why he’s been struggling a bit this season. I know he’s a late bloomer but still.)
A slam by Cisco? How cool was that?
I didn’t mind the homers by Granderson and Tex either.
Here’s what I did mind though:
- Our defense. Were the Yankees on drugs or what?
- Our inability to move runners over, as in the first inning.
- Our ineptitude at shelling a bush-league pitcher like Bush. (I didn’t appreciate his throwing near A-Rod’s head.)
Speaking of Bush, or rather Ogando, the guy we were supposed to face, I had the Texas feed today and the broadcasters were talking about his persistent blister problems.
“Nolan Ryan has been giving Ogando the home remedies that worked for him in his career,” said one of the booth guys. “He recommended pickle juice but he also said that sticking your fingers in your ears helps with blisters.”
Um, what?
And then there was the Rangers’ “Fan of the Game” segment. They went up into the stands and found a white-haired grandmother-looking type in her Rangers jersey sitting with her kids or grandkids or whatever. It was all supposed to be a sweet Mother’s Day moment and I was pleased to see any She-Fan enjoying a ballgame – until she opened her mouth. The broadcaster asked her, “What do you have to say today?” Instead of using her one second in the spotlight to cheer on her team, she decided to bash ours. “Beat the damn Yankees,” she said, to which I say: “Suck it, Grandma.”
P.S. Remember the contest for the Jeter book? Well, DJ, one of the two winners, promised to include her prize in her shrine to the captain – and, as you can see from the photo she sent me, she made good on her pledge. Maybe Jeet should thank her for his spectacular day at the plate!
