Jane Heller

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author

Was That Game The Pits Or What?

I wasn’t going to post this weekend, but my plane ended up landing just as the game was starting. Considerate of the pilot, wasn’t it?

Warren got bombed and Phelps wasn’t much better, but Cory Wade – I hate to keep harping on him because he’s probably a nice guy – just stinks. Yes, he was good last year and early this year, but he’s not good anymore and we need to bid him a fond farewell.

Dewayne Wise. LOL. His outing didn’t have the outright campiness of Nick Swisher’s pitching performance – the fact that Swisher’s was at the Trop gave it more levity – but he was great just the same. I’m starting to love Wise and hope he hangs around all season.

All kidding aside though, I wish we had a kid in AAA who could throw 98 mph, come to the majors right now and become the next great hope. We need somebody.

Yes, it’s hot in NY but fortunately I like the heat!

And The Oscar For Best Actor Goes To…

Dewayne Wise. What an incredible performance in tonight’s victory against the Indians – a victory that almost wasn’t a victory thanks to Cory Wade but more on that in a sec.

First Wise’s Jeter impersonation. What better way for him to celebrate the Captain’s birthday than to throw himself into the seats to make a dazzling catch? Very Jeterian – except that Wise didn’t make the catch. Not even close.

If you missed it, check out the video and commentary on Deadspin. What is the matter with the ump that he didn’t ask to see the ball? Did he have a hot dinner date after the game? Seriously terrible.

But I don’t want the Wise non-catch to overshadow what was another fine outing for Hughes. He was great. And I figured, as I’m sure he did when he left the game, that he’d not only get the win but a shutout. Wrong. I understand that Girardi probably thought a 7-0 lead was the perfect time to bring in the slumping Wade, but Cory seems ready for the glue factory. Soriano never should have had to come in to close this one. At least he only faced one batter.

So. Another night. Another win. We got excellent starting pitching and good hitting (including actual non-homers). I’m happy.

 

 

Not A Janer But Almost

And I thought maybe the Yankees would have a letdown after the big Subway Series. Silly me. Instead, they pounded the Indians on the first day of HOPE Week and it was so relaxing. Good pitching, good hitting and good defense – that’s how you win ballgames – and the Yankees did it all.

I wonder if Cano is practicing for the Home Run Derby coming up. His swing sure looked ready. And Swisher had an active night both at the plate and in the field. But the surprise was Wise, and I credit Cashman for picking him up. I knew he had a great glove, but who knew he could handle the bat?

Nick Laham/Getty Images

I can’t say enough about Kuroda and the job he did. Just an excellent all-around effort by the boys. I realize that the Indians aren’t exactly a top-tier team, but so what. Winning by a bunch of runs is fun.

We Won A Game!

I know it wasn’t the 7th game of the World Series, but I was pretty excited after tonight’s victory over the Royals. Why?

  • Because the Red Sox lost so we’re not in last place anymore.
  • Because Phil Hughes looked the best I’ve seen him in a long time (the velocity, the location, the mix of pitches).
  • Because Cano homered and DeWayne Wise laid down a perfect bunt and Jeter got a hit with the bases loaded.
  • Because the bullpen was fantastic (not counting Boone’s brain cramp), especially the sometimes scary Soriano.
  • Because despite Tex’s offensive woes he continued to sparkle at first base.
  • Because A-Rod made a great throw to end the game.
  • Because Michael and I celebrated by taking a spin over to the Santa Barbara harbor and having a glass of wine.

 

Life Is Better

Sounds like we’ll be seeing Enter Sandman again after all. Not this season, but next. With the news that Mo does, in fact, intend to come back once he’s healthy, we can regroup after the shock of yesterday and focus on the immediate future without him.

Toward that end, the Yankees had a nice game in KC tonight. Early on, I thought CC might get hit hard but he settled right down and dominated after giving up the two runs.

Great to see Tex hitting the ball. Finally.

And Jeter continues to amaze. We all hoped he’d play at a high level, but go on a tear like he’s been doing? Including another homer tonight? Sick.

I was glad the Yankees called up Dewayne Wise. The kid can play the outfield and takes care of my defensive concerns, plus he got a hit tonight. I hope he hangs around awhile.

Chris Stewart is really a surprise. He seems to contribute every time he gets the opportunity to catch. Good for him.

And D-Rob. It was when he came in for the ninth that I felt the absence of Mo very keenly, even though it was a non-save situation, but I said to myself, “Get used to it. This is the new reality. It’ll be okay.” Robertson was more than okay. The way he handled the Royals in the ninth was very Mo-like.

Follow Me!

  • Jane Heller on Goodreads
  • Jane Heller on Pinterest
  • Jane Heller on Facebook
  • Jane Heller on Twitter

Get in touch!

I’d love to hear from you! Contact me!

About Jane Heller

Jane Heller is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her fourteen breezy, witty novels of romantic comedy and suspense are now entertaining millions of readers around the world, along with her two books of nonfiction.